@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
@frugby said in Otago 2024:
The point is a competent, ambitious set-up rarely loses players, particularly ones like Withy who aren't moving due to a GF etc.
I disagree. We often see players leave provinces to go 'home'. Have seen it with the likes of Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tyrone Thompson. The list can go on. This hurts as he is our captain. Comes across as a really good bloke and is the sort that you'd want to build a team around. It will be a good opportunity to see Max Ratcliffe at the NPC level. For Withy I'd be more concerned if he buggered off to Northland or Bay of Plenty. He has also signed a three year deal which likely signals a long-term future with the Highlanders.
If Otago was properly run, won games and actually tried to keep players by paying fair value, we wouldn't lose our captain to Southland. Doesn't matter where he is from.