Highlanders 2020
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The Highlanders are the NZ Super Rugby franchise that will be affected most by the annual and post-RWC player exodus. On top of that, many of their 2019 squad haven't re-signed, yet, which is a worry. The Highlanders managed to reach the play-offs in 2019, but will they be able to repeat that in 2020 with a squad heavily depleted of it most experienced and high profile players?
In this blog post, I have listed all the players that were in the 2019 Highlanders squad, who are leaving and who have re-signed. I will update this list when further signings or departures are announced.
- The recruitment in which position is the most urgent?
- Who of the players of the initial 2019 squad would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
- Who of the few players that played in 2019, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
- Which other player, who hasn't played for the Highlanders in 2019, would be on your wish list?
- Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Highlanders in 2019, don't you want to be signed?
Blog post:
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I noticed in your thread you have T Umaga Jensen as an outside back. Pretty sure he’s only ever played in the midfield.
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@Canes4life Agreed, but as you can read in my blog post, I've followed the squad guide for the determination of a player's position. In the 2019 Highlanders squad guide, they have him as a wing/fullback.
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- Geez big question Lock,Loose Forwards and outside backs.probably the crucial ones
2 .Frizzell and Whetton, Parkinson they are vulnerable and may move.
4.Taukei'aho,Debreczeni,J Barrett,S Reece,Walker-Leware, are all not signed not much chance of getting any of them but thats a decent wish list.
- Geez big question Lock,Loose Forwards and outside backs.probably the crucial ones
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Heard a fairly solid rumour that the Highlanders have offered Jordie Barrett massive money for next year. I've always disliked the guy, but could deal with it.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2020:
Heard a fairly solid rumour that the Highlanders have offered Jordie Barrett massive money for next year. I've always disliked the guy, but could deal with it.
Is he Worth Massive Money ? I don't think he is.
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@SouthernMann To play in the midfield?
If he ends up at fullback again he might as well re-sign with the Canes, unless the $$$ is the big motivator.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2020:
Heard a fairly solid rumour that the Highlanders have offered Jordie Barrett massive money for next year. I've always disliked the guy, but could deal with it.
I’ve never really understood the hate he gets from fans. Im sure plenty of people think he has been “over rated” but that isn’t of his doing. That is the media and the AB coaches (who are actually the ones best placed to “rate” him).
At first it appeared to be a bit of push back against the anti Dmac stuff but it has gone past that now.
Regardless, i hope he stays at the Canes where BB should have stayed.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2020:
@SouthernMann To play in the midfield?
If he ends up at fullback again he might as well re-sign with the Canes, unless the $$$ is the big motivator.
Our midfield stock is a lot stronger than our outside backs. So presume he will have to play 15.
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Apparently Dagg said last night on Kick Off that Jordie is heading down to the Crusaders next year.
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@Canes4life all I have been told is the most lucrative offer for him is down at the Highlanders
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And the Canes CEO seems to think he isn’t going anywhere so i guess time will tell.
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@Canes4life He should just stay at the Canes
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@Chris his partner is from Chch so she may sway him.
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@Canes4life like BB
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@Chris The Barrett’s obviously don’t wear the pants.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2020:
@Chris his partner is from Chch so she may sway him.
Or he just wants to play with his other brother, now that BB has left the Canes.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2020:
@Chris his partner is from Chch so she may sway him.
Why does it not surprise me in the slightest that you know this.
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Surely a move to the Duns is on the cards for Jordie. He'll finally be able to get to the right house to have his maccas.
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@MN5 not rocket science mate, just read Stuff.
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Officially announced on the Highlanders FB page:
NEW RECRUIT ALERT All Blacks Sevens Player to Join Highlanders! 20-year-old Northland back Scott Gregory will shift South to play for the Highlanders in 2020. Gregory, a strong running outside back, had a standout season with the Northland Taniwha during the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup. The same year he was selected for the NZ World Rugby Under 20 Championship in France, where he played in all 5 games. He gained selection again this year for the World Championships in Argentina. A former NZ age grade athletics champion, Gregory was a member of the All Blacks Sevens team this season, playing in several tournaments throughout the year. He will be a welcome addition to the Highlanders outside back stocks next season with his strength and pace. Gregory is looking forward to being part of Super Rugby in 2020, “I’m thrilled to be given an opportunity to head down south to the Highlanders for the coming season. All part of a childhood dream.” Gregory has signed with the Highlanders through to 2021.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2020:
All part of a childhood dream.”
Way the article reads, it could just be part of his dream to play super rugby, rather than a dream to play for the Highlanders, but if so, is a bit of a concern for the Blues if you have kids in the region growing up wanting to play for other franchises.
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Great signing for the Landers.
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@Stargazer Big news for us! better than player signings.
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The likes of Connor Garden-Bachop and Josh McKay are brilliant pick-ups. Can we keep CGB and give the Highlanders Jonah Lowe.
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@Stargazer did I not write this around 3 weeks ago. Shit my sources are on the money
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@Canes4life I haven’t seen that much from CGB apart from in The Jubilee Cup Final the kid must have big wraps on him, I don’t think he’s even made his provincial debut yet.
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The way McKay and Punivai are going so far in the NPC, and with Gregory making himself available for the NZ 7s, the back three is still looking pretty dire.
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@mikey07 he's very similar to Mckay in my opinion. Fast and skillful, and bigger than he looks. Annoyed that the Canes have let him slip through their fingers.
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@shark really? From what I've seen from Canterbury, Mckay has been their shining light. He looks dangerous every time he gets the ball.
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@Canes4life That’s out of character for the Canes
hopefully we get to see him for the Lions this year then.
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@shark said in Highlanders 2020:
The way McKay and Punivai are going so far in the NPC, and with Gregory making himself available for the NZ 7s, the back three is still looking pretty dire.
I wouldn't say dire. Just inexperienced. Punivai and - especially - McKay have shown plenty of promise already.
The Highlanders will be the team that's most in rebuild mode in 2020, and won't have high expectations for next season, but with good coaching - something we can expect from Tony Brown in particular - they won't end up with wooden spoon and will still offer good opposition, even to Kiwi teams.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2020:
but with good coaching - something we can expect from Tony Brown in particular
I expect him to have a national job before the start of the SR season.
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@Duluth I have no "expectations" about the national coaching jobs. Just one "fear" and several "hopes".
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McKay has been ordinary on defence in general with a couple of glaring missed tackles as the last line of defence thrown in. He's been ok with ball in hand but has scored at least one opportunistic try which might influence the perception of his play.
Punivai needs to back himself. He has size and pace but doesn't seem to want to use either. It's almost like he doesn't feel like he can impose himself on a game. Reminds me of Patrick Osborne in his first couple of years.
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If anyone is looking for the official media release about the signing of Mitchell Hunt, Jona Nareki, Ngane Punivai and Connor Garden-Bachop by the Highlanders, here it is: https://thehighlanders.co.nz/media-centre/news/982-experience-and-youth-feature-of-latest-recruits
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