Highlanders 2024

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:

Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)

Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
Taranaki

I don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.

Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:

Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)

Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
Taranaki

I don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.

Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly

Neither of whom would be an improvement on Marshall. The fact they were happy to clean the house with the hookers says to me they were pretty confident in being able to get a good hooker from off-shore, because I'm pretty sure they didn't envisage Bell or Taylor being the starting hooker in 2024.

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

If I'm being more serious, the list of local options:

Ben Strang (SOU)
Ricky Jackson (OTA)
Ben Funnell (CAN)
Quentin MacDonald (TAS)
James O'Reilly (WEL)
Josh Southall (WEL)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (HBA)
Jacob Devery (HBA)
Rhys Marshall (WAI)
Ioane Moananu (COU)
Shilo Klein (NHA)

Nobody from
Auckland
Counties
Manawatu
Bay of Plenty
Taranaki

I don't like these local options at all, so I think it is safe to assume we will grab someone from Overseas.

Out of that group I'd probably go for Ben Funnell or the cooker O'Rielly

Neither of whom would be an improvement on Marshall. The fact they were happy to clean the house with the hookers says to me they were pretty confident in being able to get a good hooker from off-shore, because I'm pretty sure they didn't envisage Bell or Taylor being the starting hooker in 2024.

It could be someone at the world cup who is waiting for their campaign to be over before announcing?

[SouthernMann]

The Highlanders have listed their acadamey players stats. Including Finn Hurley. Who is listed at 174 cm. One centimetre shorter than Faleafaga. Can take these stats with a grain of but, there is a likely indication of his height. Whaanga is an absolute unit at 193cm 98kg. Will probably end up 105 - 108. https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/high-performance-programme/

[frugby]

@SouthernMann Saw these a while ago. Not buying it.

[HLD2023Champions]

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

[Bones]

Why is JRK so hyped? Every time I catch him playing he looks pretty ordinary. Didn't catch all the game against Ta$man but it was NPC level and he didn't stand out (apart from the commentators screaming his name all the time).

[frugby]

@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:

Why is JRK so hyped? Every time I catch him playing he looks pretty ordinary. Didn't catch all the game against Ta$man but it was NPC level and he didn't stand out (apart from the commentators screaming his name all the time).

From what I have seen of this season he has looked very good, Paul Cully was also talking him up the other day.

I guess we will see.

[SouthernMann]

JRK is a tall and fast fullback who has the ability to beat players with pace and in the air. Gilbert has been more of a steady fullback. While others haven't even lived up to that level. Leon Mac also formerly had big wraps on JRK as a fullback as well. Only time will tell

[frugby]

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

Haven't heard any rumours about Grindlay, is there something happening there? Thought it was more just a name people were mentioning as an option.

The general consensus is that the hooker will be coming from overseas, and may even be at the World Cup which is why there hasn't been an announcement there. As for the midfielder, the talk ages ago was PUJ, but as nothing has been announced there, I think you can rule it out. They were looking for someone with a bit of experience, so I guess we will see, but last I heard there was no oil on anyone having put pen to paper.

[Bones]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

JRK is a tall and fast fullback who has the ability to beat players with pace and in the air. Gilbert has been more of a steady fullback. While others haven't even lived up to that level. Leon Mac also formerly had big wraps on JRK as a fullback as well. Only time will tell

Huh, go figure - I thought he looked small. Fingers crossed he can do more than just have the ability for the highlanders. Would be great if he can show it.

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

Haven't heard any rumours about Grindlay, is there something happening there? Thought it was more just a name people were mentioning as an option.

The general consensus is that the hooker will be coming from overseas, and may even be at the World Cup which is why there hasn't been an announcement there. As for the midfielder, the talk ages ago was PUJ, but as nothing has been announced there, I think you can rule it out. They were looking for someone with a bit of experience, so I guess we will see, but last I heard there was no oil on anyone having put pen to paper.

I think the TUJ replacement will likely be Matt Whaanga. An experienced replacement who can play both 12 and 13. Which means we are still short a starting centre.

[Bones]

@SouthernMann is Rona signed with the chiefs?

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

Haven't heard any rumours about Grindlay, is there something happening there? Thought it was more just a name people were mentioning as an option.

The general consensus is that the hooker will be coming from overseas, and may even be at the World Cup which is why there hasn't been an announcement there. As for the midfielder, the talk ages ago was PUJ, but as nothing has been announced there, I think you can rule it out. They were looking for someone with a bit of experience, so I guess we will see, but last I heard there was no oil on anyone having put pen to paper.

I think the TUJ replacement will likely be Matt Whaanga. An experienced replacement who can play both 12 and 13. Which means we are still short a starting centre.

I don't think we are going for Matt Whaanga, I think it is more likely that we'll search for an out of the region player... that was where the Grindlay chat was coming from, but it may even be that we opt for another first five. I heard the other day that it is thought TUJ is likely done for the whole season, so they probably are looking for the guy who fills his contract in 2025. Hard to know how long his contract is, but if he is gone for the year, he might never play for the Highlanders again.

[frugby]

@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann is Rona signed with the chiefs?

Three year deal.

[SouthernMann]

@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

JRK is a tall and fast fullback who has the ability to beat players with pace and in the air. Gilbert has been more of a steady fullback. While others haven't even lived up to that level. Leon Mac also formerly had big wraps on JRK as a fullback as well. Only time will tell

Huh, go figure - I thought he looked small. Fingers crossed he can do more than just have the ability for the highlanders. Would be great if he can show it.

He is just at a smidgen under 190cm. So a bit taller than BB. But not much. From the footage he looks to be someone decent in the air.

[frugby]

@Bones said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

JRK is a tall and fast fullback who has the ability to beat players with pace and in the air. Gilbert has been more of a steady fullback. While others haven't even lived up to that level. Leon Mac also formerly had big wraps on JRK as a fullback as well. Only time will tell

Huh, go figure - I thought he looked small. Fingers crossed he can do more than just have the ability for the highlanders. Would be great if he can show it.

Granted it is not the greatest metric, but he has six tries in the competition...

I guess at the very least he has shown he has a good turn of pace and an eye for a gap.

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

Haven't heard any rumours about Grindlay, is there something happening there? Thought it was more just a name people were mentioning as an option.

The general consensus is that the hooker will be coming from overseas, and may even be at the World Cup which is why there hasn't been an announcement there. As for the midfielder, the talk ages ago was PUJ, but as nothing has been announced there, I think you can rule it out. They were looking for someone with a bit of experience, so I guess we will see, but last I heard there was no oil on anyone having put pen to paper.

I think the TUJ replacement will likely be Matt Whaanga. An experienced replacement who can play both 12 and 13. Which means we are still short a starting centre.

I don't think we are going for Matt Whaanga, I think it is more likely that we'll search for an out of the region player... that was where the Grindlay chat was coming from, but it may even be that we opt for another first five. I heard the other day that it is thought TUJ is likely done for the whole season, so they probably are looking for the guy who fills his contract in 2025. Hard to know how long his contract is, but if he is gone for the year, he might never play for the Highlanders again.

I can't imagine we will forgo a midfield spot for another 10. Midfield options as it stands are Gilbert, Te Hiwi and Timu. Timu hasn't played since what April? We have Gilbert who can slip in as a fourth 10 if need be.

[frugby]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2024:

@frugby said in Highlanders 2024:

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey guys, any new rumoured player’s potentially coming to the landers next year? Apart from Grindley.

Haven't heard any rumours about Grindlay, is there something happening there? Thought it was more just a name people were mentioning as an option.

The general consensus is that the hooker will be coming from overseas, and may even be at the World Cup which is why there hasn't been an announcement there. As for the midfielder, the talk ages ago was PUJ, but as nothing has been announced there, I think you can rule it out. They were looking for someone with a bit of experience, so I guess we will see, but last I heard there was no oil on anyone having put pen to paper.

I think the TUJ replacement will likely be Matt Whaanga. An experienced replacement who can play both 12 and 13. Which means we are still short a starting centre.

I don't think we are going for Matt Whaanga, I think it is more likely that we'll search for an out of the region player... that was where the Grindlay chat was coming from, but it may even be that we opt for another first five. I heard the other day that it is thought TUJ is likely done for the whole season, so they probably are looking for the guy who fills his contract in 2025. Hard to know how long his contract is, but if he is gone for the year, he might never play for the Highlanders again.

I can't imagine we will forgo a midfield spot for another 10. Midfield options as it stands are Gilbert, Te Hiwi and Timu. Timu hasn't played since what April? We have Gilbert who can slip in as a fourth 10 if need be.

Just an inkling... I think with Millar's injuries, we could be putting ourselves in a position where we are heavily reliant on Rhys Patchell/put too much pressure on Millar. If they could get a Cruden, or another quality 10 at short notice I think they would.

[SouthernMann]

Just looking quite weak in the midfield at the moment. Worrying that we will be carrying Lowe and CGB who are unlikely to play a lot. Could potentially do something from left field like try and make Bogado a centre