Highlanders v Rebels
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Excited to see Faleafaga at 10, Stodart get a run, and hopefully Wingham get a better experience in his second game.
Disappointed to see Lowe at 13 again.
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had forgotten this was coming....luckily you can generally just walk up and get tickets, GA is only $20
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Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Excited to see Faleafaga at 10, Stodart get a run, and hopefully Wingham get a better experience in his second game.
I'm out of loop if Wingham is making the squad then Ainsley and Johnstone must be injured, when are they due back?
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@Bones Meh. In fairness to Jonah Lowe, I thought he actually played pretty well for the majority of that Canes game.
He certainly offers more upside than the other options, the issue is mostly on defence, where he was admittedly exposed early before being shifted to the wing.
What's the alternative?
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@Bones Meh. In fairness to Jonah Lowe, I thought he actually played pretty well for the majority of that Canes game.
He certainly offers more upside than the other options, the issue is mostly on defence, where he was admittedly exposed early before being shifted to the wing.
What's the alternative?
There are other specialist midfielders in the squad that we, in theory should trust. From what I have read Jake te Hiwi has bulked up a fair bit. Both him and Whaanga are a lot more similar physically to Tele'a. In terms of a player swap, both would have made sense in terms of game style.
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A few comments from Dermody about this weeks selections:
Faleafaga’s bench form earns him first start
Ajay Faleafaga’s cameo appearances were so impressive they have earned him a starring role this weekend. The Highlanders have turned to the rookie...
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@Duluth said in Highlanders v Rebels:
A few comments from Dermody about this weeks selections:
‘‘Rhys probably didn’t have his best game in the last couple of weeks. He’s acknowledged that as well, so he’s got an opportunity to get his game back in order and be ready for when we need him.’’
Faleafaga’s bench form earns him first start
Ajay Faleafaga’s cameo appearances were so impressive they have earned him a starring role this weekend. The Highlanders have turned to the rookie...
Interesting quote here from Dermody. I reckon this says that in their mind Faleafaga has the 10 jersey for the rest of the season, unless his confidence dips substantially. We will likely see Patchell put back onto the bench in a closing role, if Gilbert fails when he has to step into the 10 role.
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I mean, Patchell was always really only a bit of experience until Ajay (and millar) were up to speed to start...and if he's ready to test that a bit faster than we might have though then awesome, Patchell only signed for one year?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Patchell was always really only a bit of experience until Ajay (and millar) were up to speed to start...and if he's ready to test that a bit faster than we might have though then awesome, Patchell only signed for one year?
Yeah one year for Patchell.
Byron Smith former Blues U20 will be running around for Southland this year.
My concern is around the contract length for Millar. Will be interesting to see how the gametime between Millar and Faleafaga is managed for Otago during the NPC. Same in the midfield between Te Hiwi, Whaanga, Gilbert and if Timu and Umaga-Jensen return. Those are a lot of players to manage in a couple of positions.
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im really not worries about millar, he's fine, he's an actual 10 (rather than when we've had to move people like gilbert there) and as a second or third choice hes fine IMO
whats the deal with TUJ? is he contracted? i wasn;t sure if his contract ran out, is he just injured?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@frugby said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@Bones Meh. In fairness to Jonah Lowe, I thought he actually played pretty well for the majority of that Canes game.
He certainly offers more upside than the other options, the issue is mostly on defence, where he was admittedly exposed early before being shifted to the wing.
What's the alternative?
There are other specialist midfielders in the squad that we, in theory should trust. From what I have read Jake te Hiwi has bulked up a fair bit. Both him and Whaanga are a lot more similar physically to Tele'a. In terms of a player swap, both would have made sense in terms of game style.
Not sure I agree. I think the big thing they want from their centre is pace so we don't get burned on the outside shoulder in defence which was a massive issue last year.
I could be wrong, but I think they see Te Hiwi and Whaanga as second fives primarily (basically only centres in case of emergency).
Perhaps more for the Highlanders thread itself, but midfield will be an interesting position to follow in the off-season. Think assuming we want 5, they'll be looking at another one (M Whaanga and Timu likely to make way for J Whaanga + one other). The question is, do they bite the bullet, and drop an outside back to go for another ball playing 12 as well as another pacey centre?
If that Toby Bell is as good as everyone says he is, maybe the Highlanders should just take a punt on him?
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Patchell was always really only a bit of experience until Ajay (and millar) were up to speed to start...and if he's ready to test that a bit faster than we might have though then awesome, Patchell only signed for one year?
Yeah one year for Patchell.
Byron Smith former Blues U20 will be running around for Southland this year.
My concern is around the contract length for Millar. Will be interesting to see how the gametime between Millar and Faleafaga is managed for Otago during the NPC. Same in the midfield between Te Hiwi, Whaanga, Gilbert and if Timu and Umaga-Jensen return. Those are a lot of players to manage in a couple of positions.
Chances are high Millar ends back up at Southland I think... which could be a good outcome for all parties. But at this stage, I am really trying to temper my expectations with Faleafaga, but I think he seriously has the potential to be the best 10 the Highlanders have ever had...
His running game and playmaking out the hand for a 21 year old is ridiculously good. Big If, but if he can nail down the 10 jersey for the Highlanders, and gets the backline firing, what's to say he can't be a massive bolter for the ABs? Would probably take an injury, but outside of Perofeta, DMac and BB who else really is there?
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Rebels:
I could be wrong, but I think they see Te Hiwi and Whaanga as second fives primarily (basically only centres in case of emergency).
then lets give them a run, give gilbert a chop out, he's been the go too for all our problems for a couple of seasons
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@frugby said in Highlanders v Rebels:
@Bones Meh. In fairness to Jonah Lowe, I thought he actually played pretty well for the majority of that Canes game.
He certainly offers more upside than the other options, the issue is mostly on defence, where he was admittedly exposed early before being shifted to the wing.
What's the alternative?
There are other specialist midfielders in the squad that we, in theory should trust. From what I have read Jake te Hiwi has bulked up a fair bit. Both him and Whaanga are a lot more similar physically to Tele'a. In terms of a player swap, both would have made sense in terms of game style.
Not sure I agree. I think the big thing they want from their centre is pace so we don't get burned on the outside shoulder in defence which was a massive issue last year.
I could be wrong, but I think they see Te Hiwi and Whaanga as second fives primarily (basically only centres in case of emergency).
Perhaps more for the Highlanders thread itself, but midfield will be an interesting position to follow in the off-season. Think assuming we want 5, they'll be looking at another one (M Whaanga and Timu likely to make way for J Whaanga + one other). The question is, do they bite the bullet, and drop an outside back to go for another ball playing 12 as well as another pacey centre?
If that Toby Bell is as good as everyone says he is, maybe the Highlanders should just take a punt on him?
I don't think there's anything to say that Te Hiwi or Whaanga are pigeonholed at 12. Te Hiwi started his one or two games last year for the team at 13. He played a pre-season game there. Whaanga spent most of the year with Southland at 13, same with his starts last year with the Highlanders.
Like Faleafaga, some of these guys need a chance. Lowe isn't the answer. They signed these guys for a reason, give them an opportunity to sink or swim. They won't be putting their hands up playing for Green Island or Taieri.
In terms of pace and not being burnt. I don't buy that either. Can't imagine there would be a massive difference in pace between Tele'a and Te Hiwi/Whaanga (although he doesn't look the quickest). Lowe's style of play is so different, to the bigger more abrasive centres. It just didn't make sense to me.
As for Millar. It will be interesting to see how Byron Smith goes for Southland this year. I could see him overtaking Millar in the Highlanders pecking order as well. He looked very good for the Blues U20s. Millar could be the perfect third string 10. Not anything above that though.
