Highlanders 2020

[Duluth]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/119938341/super-rugby-highlanders-skipper-james-lentjes-requires-surgery-done-for-season

[Stargazer]

@Duluth A 6-9-month recovery period means that he'll also miss most or all of the Mitre 10 Cup.

[Stargazer]

Also from that article: the Highlanders' touring squad to SA:

Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Mitch Hunt, Josh Ioane, Teihorangi Walden, Ngane Punivai, Jona Nareki, Michael Collins, Tima Fainga'anuku, Scott Gregory, Josh McKay.

Forwards: Ayden Johnstone, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Nathan Vella, Jeff Thwaites, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jack Whetton, Will Tucker*, Slade McDowall*, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, Jesse Parete, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.

The Highlanders are certainly feeling the injury pinch, with locks Josh Dickson and Pari Pari Parkinson both ruled out for the tour to South Africa and Argentina, as well as influential midfielder Rob Thompson.

Will Tucker and Slade McDowall have been called into the squad as injury replacements at lock and loose forward, respectively. 

[Higgins]

Someone must have worked wonders to get Selby-Rickit a visa to get into South Africa given his criminal record. Could be that standards imposed by South Africa are somewhat lesser than those elsewhere.

[Bovidae]

I assume that Flutey misses the trip to Argentina too.

Is Kapeli injured?

[Nepia]

@Higgins said in Highlanders 2020:

Someone must have worked wonders to get Selby-Rickit a visa to get into South Africa given his criminal record. Could be that standards imposed by South Africa are somewhat lesser than those elsewhere.

I assume the conviction of causing injury with reckless disregard is low enough to allow him to travel. @Godder may know more about the standard?

I'm more surprised he didn't get discharged without conviction like other rugby bad boys.

[Higgins]

@Nepia The visa issue clearly negates defence laywers arguing conviction would impact too heavily on the defendants professional sporting career should a conviction be entered against the defendant.

[Stargazer]

@Nepia I may be wrong, but IIRC, Australia only refuses people a visa in case of conviction if a prison sentence has been imposed. Maybe it's the same in SA/Arg?

[Godder]

@Nepia some online checking says only getting a fine would normally not be ineligible for a SA visa.

[Jonty lean]

Every week the highlanders disappointed me by not giving young folau fakatava a shot

[Machpants]

@Jonty-lean said in Highlanders 2020:

Every week the highlanders disappointed me by not giving young folau fakatava a shot

Not just the Highlanders, even the Canes brought on JONATHAN TAUMATEINE instead of The One and Only Folau* Disgustingly disappointing

*that's not been banished to League

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

[Higgins]

Have you got the "Students" starting lineup? They have quite a number of players with Super Contracts but not many of them appear in the Super match day 23s.

[KiwiMurph]

@Higgins "SUFC's team to be announced tomorrow ahead of the game."

[Stargazer]

@Higgins

[Stargazer]

Full time: Highlanders Bravehearts 57 - 19 Sydney Uni

Bravehearts tries: Kuridrani, Hill, Fakatava, Manson, Withy, Kuridrani, Te Tamaki, Withy, Te Tamaki.

[Duluth]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/120150334/super-rugby-highlanders-in-no-rush-to-make-a-call-on-aaron-maugers-future

The Highlanders have Brown and Dermody locked in beyond 2020, with Mauger and Mark Hammett coming off contract this year.

Surely at least one of Mauger & Hammett won't get a new contract?

How much of an interruption is Brown's Japan job? Maybe he could be head coach in SR and still assist Japan?

[Tim]

@Duluth Clayton Macmillan is coaching the Chiefs next year. Are Ieremia and Tiatia off contract? How about the Ta$man coaches? Kieran Keane? Any name NZ coaches coming off contract overseas?

[Crucial]

Hammet’s CV must make horror reading. I am genuinely surprised that he continues to be employed in a coaching capacity.
Mind you, John Mitchell’s CV is pretty awful as well but he landed a well paid gig.