Highlanders 2024
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The thing with Withy is he is a big lad for an openside. So no issue on the blind. I am a huge fan of Haig though. Just can't see him and Hicks on the bench together. Think a more explosive loose in Broughton would be useful.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
The thing with Withy is he is a big lad for an openside. So no issue on the blind. I am a huge fan of Haig though. Just can't see him and Hicks on the bench together. Think a more explosive loose in Broughton would be useful.
Bold to say the latter two aren't explosive.
It has crossed my mind that they might start with only one of Holland/Parkinson to start the season, and use Hicks for the full 80 due to their injuries.
I'd expect to see Withy, Harmon & Renton for game one, with Sanders in 20 because they may want some specialist number 8 cover. If they are happy with Harmon/Withy to cover 8, then I'd expect Haig to be deployed there.
As the season goes on, I suspect if they aren't starting, one of Hicks or Haig will be in 19, with a second loose forward to get around this.
I'll also add, I think it is noticeable they haven't yet confirmed Harmon as skipper... would not be stunned to see Withy and Harmon named as co-captains. I think Withy is top notch potential wise, and could easily surpass Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
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I didn't say any player wasn't explosive. I said that I think Broughton could offer more of that x-factor than the alternatives. That Hicks and Haig are both 6/locks. So you wouldn't have both on the bench together. If one of the locks isn't available early on, I expect Hicks to start there, as you said.
Ideally I'd like to see Haig and Broughton on the bench together. I like the mix of Haig as a big lad, and Broughton with his speed and agility. I'm skeptical about Sanders, he was terrible for Otago last year.
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
I wouldn't be surprised if Harmon leaves after this season if he doesn't make this ABs. His worth will be high and he is turning 30 this year.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
Ideally I'd like to see Haig and Broughton on the bench together. I like the mix of Haig as a big lad, and Broughton with his speed and agility. I'm skeptical about Sanders, he was terrible for Otago last year.
I'm also skeptical about Sanders. Ideally, I'd like to see Broughton have a big pre-season and be the starting 8 this season, but I just worry if he is more of a highlights player who doesn't do the hard yards.
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
Agree... and I think it could quite easily be our best ever.
I wouldn't be surprised if Harmon leaves after this season if he doesn't make this ABs. His worth will be high and he is turning 30 this year.
Think your probably bang on here. Might stretch it to 2025, but it really depends what motivates him.
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
I'll also add, I think it is noticeable they haven't yet confirmed Harmon as skipper...
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
Mind listing those limitations for me? Not arguing, just interested.
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Harmon, who captained the team in 2023, will also be supported by midfield back, Sam Gilbert as Vice-Captain and a leadership group made up of Ethan de Groot, Sean Withy, Jona Nareki, and newcomer Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.JRK straight into the leadership group
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
The long-term loose trio will probably be Haig, Withy and Stodart.
Agree... and I think it could quite easily be our best ever
I think it has the potential to be a long-term loosie trio and for them to really grow together. I think we are coming into a bit of a golden era of local loosies. These guys, Michaels, Holland V2, Rutledge, the Southland boys no8, Ratcliffe, Broughton... There are quite a few guys who could (and it is could) step up. Not all of them will be world beaters, but they should be lads worth considering.
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Harmon, who though is very good, and is on the cusp of the ABs, has his limitations. Withy is like a young Sam Cane.
Mind listing those limitations for me? Not arguing, just interested.
Probably lacks a bit of size... certainly not as good a ball carrier as Cane, Savea and Papalii.
Of course, when I say limitations, I really just mean compared to the current ABs.
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@frugby does Tele'a have the distribution game to be a centre? I thought of him more as a blockbusting 12 type player but haven't really seen him play for while.
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@Canes4life if im honest im not sure we'll be playing a style complicated enough for that to be an issue.
Gilbert is going to be playing a semi second playmaker (former 15 / 10) so if it gets past 12 we'll be looking to break the line
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@Kiwiwomble looking at that side it looks a definite improvement from last year.
I would almost have M Whaanga at centre, every time I've seen him play live (pre season last year for the Canes / Ranfurly Shield game against Wellington) he's looked bloody class. Kind of reminds me of a Shaun Treeby type player who has the smarts to make a decent impact at Super level, but unlike Treeby he also has the right amount of size to break teams open, just needs more opportunity. I'm suprised he hasn't cracked a Super side until now tbh.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2024:
does Tele'a have the distribution game to be a centre? I thought of him more as a blockbusting 12 type player but haven't really seen him play for while.
Passing has been inaccurate.. he's generally been a run straight and hard guy
He's been injured so often that he's never had a good run of games. Maybe he'll show more if he can stay healthy for a while
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@Canes4life Matt has never really caught my eye, happy enough to have him around but honestly always felt he had "journeyman" written all over him
Josh on the other had has looked very impressive
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@Kiwiwomble I can only go on his play from the both times I've seen him live and he seemed like a tidy player. Definitely had a sound skill set and was very astute at putting others into space. In the Canes vs Crusaders pre-season game last year I remember he broke the line a couple times and then scored / setup a try aswell. I reckon he would go better at centre than Tele'a because of his distribution game alone.
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Matt Whaanga is a fine depth player. Will Tele'a be more than that. Who knows. He will get the first shot though.
Josh Whaanga looks to be a goer. He is already just under 100kg, and looks quite lean. Could easily be a 108kg - 110kg centre. Just hope he isn't too much of a lumbering centre. Needs some pace.
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@SouthernMann yeah, thats how i felt
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Irish Paul said on X that Jack Taylor did a 4.35 Bronco. Pretty sharp for a frontrower
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@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:
Probably lacks a bit of size... certainly not as good a ball carrier as Cane, Savea and Papalii.
Huh, go figure. Whenever I've watched him he's one of the best ball carriers in the team. To say he's not as good as Cane is laughable. He's ten times better.
HARMON TO LEAD HIGHLANDERS IN 2024 | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership
