Highlanders 2024
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2024:
Locks seem to be the position that most teams need to fill, but there are a lack of experienced locks available.
If Dunshea was fit, I actually think that is a fair set of locks, but yes, the injury throws a spanner into the works.
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby how true is it that we signed Ricky Jackson? Or are u just guessing?
Signed.
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The goal for this team next year is to win more than they lose and at least get home wins against other nz teams. Looking at the squad 2024 will be the last years foe DLB, a loosie to make room for Stodart, Patchell, Umaga-Jensen, Timu, Lowe, Garden-Bachop and may be Bogado. The forward pack is building really nicely. The backs are a shitshow.
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Probably Pari Pari Parkinson as well
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:
The goal for this team next year is to win more than they lose and at least get home wins against other nz teams. Looking at the squad 2024 will be the last years foe DLB, a loosie to make room for Stodart, Patchell, Umaga-Jensen, Timu, Lowe, Garden-Bachop and may be Bogado. The forward pack is building really nicely. The backs are a shitshow.
- DLB is signed until 2025, so he will be back.
- Hicks is the only loose forward off contract I'd think, so will be intriguing to see how they work Stodart in.
- Patchell is a stop gap... no clue who they are looking at there longer term
- Timu is looking offshore I believe, and I think the writing is on the wall for CGB, Bogado will also depart you would think
- For TUJ and Parkinson, I think it will largely depend on how they go next year. Not inconceivable that with a huge season Parkinson cracks the ABs, TUJ's injury probably means he will look to the land of the rising sun.
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In terms of prop I'm wondering how they work Wingham in. Hicks could get a choice of play at lock or bugger off. We don't want to lose Stodart. Hicks is the weakest of the loosies. The third 10 will be fascinating post Patchell
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@frugby oh gosh 🤦 this always happens with the Highlanders, a couple of huge signings in JRK, Tavatavanawi, ect, to guys like Ricky Jackson and Telea 😅
Still hoping there’s a chance we’ve signed Meihana Grindley…
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@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:
@frugby oh gosh 🤦 this always happens with the Highlanders, a couple of huge signings in JRK, Tavatavanawi, ect, to guys like Ricky Jackson and Telea 😅
Still hoping there’s a chance we’ve signed Meihana Grindley…
Pretty hard to sign 15 world-beaters... if you'd offered me this squad to start this season at the end of last I'd have bit your hand off. Massively upgraded in the outside backs, and I don't think we have got considerably worse anywhere except for depth at halfback... Smith only played about half our games last year anyway.
Our hookers last year were rubbish, so at the very least these guys are going to be on par.
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@frugby it’s exciting in some areas, but unfortunately the reality is we are going to be looking at a very similar season to last season, if not worse.
An injury to one of the very few key players we now have left and we are in trouble.
In saying that, I am excited by what is being built and the key here is making sure we retain the young talent being invested in. Sprinkled with a signing here and there and who knows where we could be in another year or 2. Let’s hope!
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Acadaemy players confirmed. Including three players from elsewhere in the country. https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-introduce-promising-class-of-2024/
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Is Quintin related to Fabien?
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@SouthernMann Well, #f&ckerdyf@ck, the Highlanders have poached another one of our best young players! Another one lost to the HB Academy! Happy for Josh Augustine to get the opportunity, but it shouldn't have been in Dunedin.
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@Crazy-Horse Yes, younger brother.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Highlanders 2024:
Is Quintin related to Fabien?
He's a smaller version of his big brother.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2024:
@SouthernMann Well, #f&ckerdyf@ck, the Highlanders have poached another one of our best young players! Another one lost to the HB Academy! Happy for Josh Augustine to get the opportunity, but it shouldn't have been in Dunedin.
Irish Paul reckons two may be tied to Southland. So he couple be a stag! The question is, would the Hurricanes have given him the same acadamey opportunity the 'Landers have?
