Highlanders 2023
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Kendrick Lynn, the former Southland and Highlanders midfielder/outside back, will join the Highlanders in 2024 on a three-year deal after making an impressive start to his coaching career in France. Lynn, 40, is in his first year as head coach of Lyon, and has guided them to third place in the Top 14 this year, an achievement that was not lost on the Highlanders as they build a team around Clarke Dermody.bit out of the blue, remember liking him as a player so not against it
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Fantastic get for the Highlanders. All reporters seem to indicate Lynn is one of the best coaches in France
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Clare Dermody confirms Sam Gilbert is a midfield option... great to hear he thinos the say way I did 18 months ago https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131265048/folau-fakatava-returns-as-highlanders-beat-moana-pasifika-3324-in-trial-match
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Think Irish Paul hits the nail on the head. Good first team, will pinch a few wins, but is a fair way off and will get pumped if key players go down injured.
Guys like Koroi, Banks, Paea, Dawai and Thwaites are pretty much there to hold tackle bags. While there are several others who are lucky to have contracts.
I'd expect the team to run out on the weekend to be
1 de Groot
2 Marshall
3 Ainsley
4 Parkinson
5 Dickson
6 Frizzell
7 Harmon (c)
8 Tu'u9 Fakatava
10 Hunt
11 Nareki
12 Umaga-Jensen
13 Timu
14 Lowe
15 Gilbert (GK and midfield cover)16 Apasai
17 Johnstone
18 Ma'u
19 Hicks
20 Withy/Broughton/Lentjes
21 Arscott
22 Burns
23 Garden-BachopA really tidy top team. Will get beaten most weeks, but will take it tight. Put in the players who should not be playing Super footy and this team could get some towlings.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
Clare Dermody confirms Sam Gilbert is a midfield option... great to hear he thinos the say way I did 18 months ago https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131265048/folau-fakatava-returns-as-highlanders-beat-moana-pasifika-3324-in-trial-match
jesus...keep that quiet or this thread will blow up!
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other names that must be fit at the moment, some good names getting a run
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We can only improve from last night. Can't get any worse
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2023:
We can only improve from last night. Can't get any worse
If you guys get some injuries, it could get a whole lot worse. I’m hoping you guys can turn it around, like most here I have the Landers as one of my second teams.
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To add to this, if I were the landers I’d give Arscott and Ajax some minutes - not heaps - but get them and the other younger players ready to be challenging to start next year.
You won’t win it this year or likely next, but they can prepare for a three year run.
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@gt12 so already next year they will have Jake te Hiwi, Oli Haig, Hastie, Hayden Michaels. I understand Henry Bell will be in the squad. Coupled with the likes of Holland and Millar. Jack Taylor will be another year away, but could still make it next year. There is some good talent coming through. I think that faleafaga is ikely to have a higher ceiling at this level than Millar. Dermody deserves some time and Kenny Lynn will be a useful addition. The problem is, the Landers has some decent players, but, everyone else has several exceptional players. We only have two, de Groot and Smith. Smith will be gone next year.
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im going to say it...id like to see burns start at 10...with millar on the bench, we actually have a couple of weapons, we just need someone to put them in space, not always be looking to break the line himself
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
im going to say it...id like to see burns start at 10...with millar on the bench, we actually have a couple of weapons, we just need someone to put them in space, not always be looking to break the line himself
Imagine if you were able to get out of your 22 if your first five kicked it.
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@Bones Gilbert has a big boot, get him to do the clearances!
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2023:
@Bones Gilbert has a big boot, get him to do the clearances!
Get anyone to do it, even Tony Johnson probably has a bigger boot.
The Hunt blind spot has persevered through multiple coaches, it's bizarre and frustrating.
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Only one round in, but how many teams will get a bonus point playing against this squad?
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@antipodean said in Highlanders 2023:
Only one round in, but how many teams will get a bonus point playing against this squad?
Two.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2023:
Any update on MMT's injury?
MMT 4-7 weeks
Nareki 4-6 weeks
Mikaele-Tu’u joins Highlanders injury list
The Highlanders have been dealt another injury blow as they prepare to cross the Ditch. Big No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u has been sidelined for four...
