Highlanders 2021

nostrildamus

@bones said in Highlanders 2021:

@nostrildamus he could be you know.

I meant de Groot.

Bones

@nostrildamus you don't say, think they got out of the orchard business just in time

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shark

@stargazer I've watched it. I couldn't stop thinking about his disgraceful airport toilet encounter when they were all banging on about what a great bloke/husband/Dad he is.

antipodean

@shark said in Highlanders 2021:

@stargazer I've watched it. I couldn't stop thinking about his disgraceful airport toilet encounter when they were all banging on about what a great bloke/husband/Dad he is.

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Stargazer

Hunt confirmed on Wednesday that he had re-signed until the end of the 2023 season, joining Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava and Shannon Frizell in committing to the Highlanders until the next Rugby World Cup.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/125254389/super-rugby-mitch-hunt-confirms-new-highlanders-deal-until-2023

Kiwiwomble

@stargazer was just coming to post this, thats great news, has really settled into his role

Duluth

How long is Josh Ioane contracted for? Is he up for renewal soon?

I see his Otago one is over this year

Kiwiwomble

@duluth found an article thats just listed him as unknown

edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"

Duluth

@kiwiwomble

The Canes should chase him hard if he's available. He's good enough to start at SR level

Maybe leaving Dunedin would be a good idea based on his last 12 months

Duluth

@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:

edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"

He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open

Kiwiwomble

@duluth for him yeah, you might be right, for us?....bugger

Was really hoping he would settle and grow like Sopoaga did, he had a few rough seasons early on too

@duluth said in Highlanders 2021:

@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:

edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"

He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open

yeah, not often a good sign

gt12

@duluth said in Highlanders 2021:

@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2021:

edit: i see you've found something, he will be more of a loss for Otago that the HIghlanders i think, not that he was perfect for us last year but he still has "something"

He only signed a one year extension with Otago last year. Doesn't mean he's leaving, but he was clearly keeping his options open

Moana Pasifika

Kiwiwomble

@gt12 thats a bloody good point

taniwharugby

@duluth from what I gathered last year, he was certainly sounding out options outside Dunedin (for NPC)

Steven Harris

@taniwharugby Northland spoke to Josh last year , this where the Blues should have been working with Northland , it’s win win situation , no offence to the current first fives the Blues have , but I don’t think any of them will win you a championship..

gt12

@steven-harris

Given that Barrett is on his way back, I doubt Ioane would want to join the Blues, but Northland/MP sounds like a plan.

Bovidae

@gt12 said in Highlanders 2021:

Given that Barrett is on his way back, I doubt Ioane would want to join the Blues, but Northland/MP sounds like a plan.

He's from Auckland so might prefer to go back home, at least at NPC level.

gt12

@bovidae

I was assuming that with their current issues they may have some trouble getting new recruits (I know he is from Auckland)

Steven Harris

@bovidae his mother is from Kaitaia, he’s spent much of his childhood in Ahipara, sure he was schooled in Auckland , but I know chatting to his Whanau ,Northland is definitely a place on interest

Kiwiwomble

I just don’t have faith that Otago and the highlanders would be working together to replace him

The Silver Fern

Highlanders 2021