@Bovidae he did. But didn't someone say he got dropped from Tah's on here? Feels like there's a bit of a story there. He was a massive unit, and you have to feel highlanders would have been interested in a 135kg lock.
Interested if anyone has the inside word on what happened, and where he landed?
This whole squad feels like talent mismanagement. What happened to Ale Aho - he's gone from hugely promising prospect to MIA. Reuben Palmer was on a national development contract and is nowhere to be seen. No Tengblad to pure madness which feels like the Hotham situation all over again. Quentin Holland presumably should have been in the frame. While No Rangitura feels just dumb, especially after the season he had last year. Stan Mclurie is another prospect who seems to have gone missing too.
It's hard to understand how Otago is SO bad to developing talent.
Saw that. What's the inside word on this one? Is he being moved on, or been offered a better opportunity?
@Kiwiwomble agreed. There's a world (probably one where JJ didn't leave in 2017 and Tony Brown in 2018) where Fekitoa and Lima Soponga are both still playing for the All Blacks and are considered legends of the game.
Fekitoa left because of Laumape and Godue (and to an extend ALB) and arguably (given the benefit of hindsight0 was the better option long term.
I'd love Fekitoa to return to NZ and do a final season at the Highlanders.
@antipodean I always felt he saw which way the wind was blowing. With DMac and Beaudy in the All Blacks at best there was one slot for another first five and the rise of Mounga meant that there wasn't any guarantee it would be Lima. Can't fault him for heading abroad
@Kiwiwomble haven’t followed in club rugby. But I remember when he came down south he was highly touted and then everything seemed to go a bit quiet around him.
Suppose that makes sense if he’s been injured. But a few former highlanders academy boys need big seasons if they’re going to push for super contracts. Kyan Rangitura, Jeremiah Asi, Toleafoa, Ratcliff, Reuben Palmer, Moana Takaka and Stan Mclurie all missed out on NZU20’s Squads, while Hunter Fahey made it but hadn’t yet kicked on.
@SouthernMann all of whoom had signed with other franchises. Last year from memory it was CGB, Harmon, Bodego, Ainsley, Patchell and Pari Pari.
Jackson, Johnstone, Hicks, Plummer, Takafu, Tucke, Sanders, Timu and Whaanga were not announced at that stage.
Damn Veveni Lasaqa really should be in on the All Blacks Radar based on those stats. Bit of a shame we have so many talented sevens because he needs to be seriously considerd based on those stats.
@sparky one of the blokes on reddit was saying apparently he made a late night call to Razor that burned some bridges. Obviously nothing more than hearsay at this stage, and it's not like he wasn't already battling for a spot in the squad. But anyone here know anything about that / can confirm / deny?
@brodean no mention of them at all positive or negative from what I've seen. But we've got a squad that's a little light on outside backs and loose forwards and two spots short of 35, so could be the answer?
@akan004 could be they're holding spots for Tangitau and Parker?
Huge surprise to see a 28 year old hooker handed a place in the squad. Especially over Bell.
Thrilled that Razor's gone for some bold selections. No Havilli, Blackadder, Christie and Papalii are big calls but not ones I'm upset over.
On the other hand I'm stoked super rugby form has been rewarded and Big Jim and Kirifi got call ups.
Norris is a well deserved call up. And it's great to see Tupea back in Black.
Don't think Reece offers much over a few other wingers, but get why he's in the mix. Suspect we'll see him dropped for Finganuku later in the year.
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
Locks: Scott Barrett (capt), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland
Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
Injury cover: Christian Lio-Willie (for Luke Jacobson), Emoni Narawa (for Anton Lienert-Brown)
Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta.
Here we are team. Brodie Mcalastair the big bolter here.
@Steven-Harris any other uncapped Canes or Blues players there this week?
@Mr-Fish probably other thing that's interesting is that Saula Ma'au isn't the selection frame either. He made All Blacks XV last year. And aside from 2 - 3 miserable games mid season made a good comeback towards the end of the year.
With George Dyer heading overseas my assumption is he's have been first in line due to injury to be called into the squad. However given he's not in the camp you'd have to assume someone else is.
Highlanders accidentally posted then deleted today saying that TK, Jack Taylor, Ethan, Jim, Fabian and JRK were in the all blacks training camp this week.
Interesting to see that Jack’s on their Radar. Assuming this means Tangitau hasn’t returned from injury. And a bit of a Suprise that Fakatava can’t get a look given Ratima and Hotham are playing this weekend
@Landers92 damn. I’d hoped the Landers would snap him up.
Bit surprised Josh Taula’s been let go. He’s an absolute unit. Anyone know where he’s off too?
I wouldn't disagree with this. I'd love to see Fusitoa or Norris get a look in but I'm assuming Razor will opt for Crusaders where there's any ambiguity. In the loose forwards I strongly expect Jacobson over Papalii. I'd like to see Kirifi over Lio Willie but wouldn't be surprised if Razor picks him. I really want to see Big Jim in the mix too, and would expect Narwara over JRK.