Highlanders 2022
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@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
As a Highlanders fan I'd be really disappointed if we went to one of the mentioned Hawke's Bay players to replace Parkinson. It is probably a year earlier than the Highlanders had hoped, but I'd got for the big Dutchman Fabian Holland. At 118kg there is no issue for him size wise and the administration want to have him there for the longterm. As the saying goes, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
So thanks but no thanks to the two battler locks from Hawke's Bay, we already have their mentor. No need for another.
Would still be happy to take Kereru-Symes though.
I'd think it'd be wise to select one of those players in the squad regardless, though. It's all very well planning to give Holland a go (and I think he'll be part of the WTG, regardless). But if he doesn't fire (which would be understandable at his age) and you have a couple crunch games, Cridge/Parsons wouldn't be bad bench options to have.
I just don't see any upside in those two in terms of giving them a full contact.
The players are likely to go unsigned. So will be available if injuries occur. Apart from being short term injury cover, Pasons hasn't played any Super Rugby? Cridge has only played one game. It is hardly as if either players are experienced at that level.
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@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
As a Highlanders fan I'd be really disappointed if we went to one of the mentioned Hawke's Bay players to replace Parkinson. It is probably a year earlier than the Highlanders had hoped, but I'd got for the big Dutchman Fabian Holland. At 118kg there is no issue for him size wise and the administration want to have him there for the longterm. As the saying goes, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
So thanks but no thanks to the two battler locks from Hawke's Bay, we already have their mentor. No need for another.
Would still be happy to take Kereru-Symes though.
I'd think it'd be wise to select one of those players in the squad regardless, though. It's all very well planning to give Holland a go (and I think he'll be part of the WTG, regardless). But if he doesn't fire (which would be understandable at his age) and you have a couple crunch games, Cridge/Parsons wouldn't be bad bench options to have.
I just don't see any upside in those two in terms of giving them a full contact.
The players are likely to go unsigned. So will be available if injuries occur. Apart from being short term injury cover, Pasons hasn't played any Super Rugby? Cridge has only played one game. It is hardly as if either players are experienced at that level.
I would've thought you'd want 5 locks, regardless. None of the Highlanders loose forwards really have any experience there, aside from Frizell.
I really do like Holland, but he's played less than 100mins of first-class rugby. There are a number of locks who have dominated at age-group rugby and have not been able to make the step up (e.g. Liaki Moli, Chris Smith) so I'd be a little hesitant to be too reliant on him at a young age. Also, I thought there were some regulations about the number of mins allowed for guys under 20 years? Even if there isn't, I'd think you'd want to ease him into it to reduce his chance of getting injured in what can physically tough position. How I see it, you're only one injury away from a 19 year old being on the bench - and you probably don't want to be playing him every week.
In terms of the availability of locks - I think you'd be taking a bit of a gamble assuming that they'll still be available later on. You've now got 6 NZ-based teams who have the potential to require some backup players, and we aren't particularly flush with depth at lock. Add to that that some of the Australian squads might sign someone to bulk out their roster a little. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Josh Goodhue out for a significant period of time after his head knock, so the Blues might be calling in cover before the season has even started.
It doesn't have to be either of the players from Hawkes Bay - but I'd strongly suggest the Highlanders would want some more experienced cover in the squad.
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@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
@bobily2 said in Highlanders 2022:
@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
As a Highlanders fan I'd be really disappointed if we went to one of the mentioned Hawke's Bay players to replace Parkinson. It is probably a year earlier than the Highlanders had hoped, but I'd got for the big Dutchman Fabian Holland. At 118kg there is no issue for him size wise and the administration want to have him there for the longterm. As the saying goes, if you are good enough, you are old enough.
So thanks but no thanks to the two battler locks from Hawke's Bay, we already have their mentor. No need for another.
Would still be happy to take Kereru-Symes though.
I'd think it'd be wise to select one of those players in the squad regardless, though. It's all very well planning to give Holland a go (and I think he'll be part of the WTG, regardless). But if he doesn't fire (which would be understandable at his age) and you have a couple crunch games, Cridge/Parsons wouldn't be bad bench options to have.
I just don't see any upside in those two in terms of giving them a full contact.
The players are likely to go unsigned. So will be available if injuries occur. Apart from being short term injury cover, Pasons hasn't played any Super Rugby? Cridge has only played one game. It is hardly as if either players are experienced at that level.
I would've thought you'd want 5 locks, regardless. None of the Highlanders loose forwards really have any experience there, aside from Frizell.
I really do like Holland, but he's played less than 100mins of first-class rugby. There are a number of locks who have dominated at age-group rugby and have not been able to make the step up (e.g. Liaki Moli, Chris Smith) so I'd be a little hesitant to be too reliant on him at a young age. Also, I thought there were some regulations about the number of mins allowed for guys under 20 years? Even if there isn't, I'd think you'd want to ease him into it to reduce his chance of getting injured in what can physically tough position. How I see it, you're only one injury away from a 19 year old being on the bench - and you probably don't want to be playing him every week.
In terms of the availability of locks - I think you'd be taking a bit of a gamble assuming that they'll still be available later on. You've now got 6 NZ-based teams who have the potential to require some backup players, and we aren't particularly flush with depth at lock. Add to that that some of the Australian squads might sign someone to bulk out their roster a little. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Josh Goodhue out for a significant period of time after his head knock, so the Blues might be calling in cover before the season has even started.
It doesn't have to be either of the players from Hawkes Bay - but I'd strongly suggest the Highlanders would want some more experienced cover in the squad.
I see the reasoning in what you are saying. But sometimes you need to take a risk with a younger player when the opportunity presents itself. Sometimes injuries occur and they get thrown into things like with Reuben Love at the Hurricanes, In other scenarios like Folau Fakatava they get given long runs in the squad without too much game time.
Parsons or Cridge are fine locks. They would fill a gap. If we look at the Chief this year, they picked a 19-year-old with limited game time over the likes of Parsons and Cridge. He is now an All Black.
The Highlanders are starting to show they are willing to invest in youth, rather than picking mid-level outsiders. Sean Withy and Saula Mau. Around the country there are numerous more experienced players that could be picked ahead of them. But the management have faith in talent.
I wouldn't be disappointed if we did bite the bullet and sign a player like Cridge or Parsons. Holland will be with the squad anyway. I'd just rather management say, we know this kid, he has a long future, let's lock him in now.
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2022:
finally finished the replay of last night game
Can we please sign Freedom, he's just a really deceptive runner, doesn't look like he running fast but fast enough and love how he can shrug off a tackle, even if he doesnt score (the next level is obviously harder than NPC) you always feel you'll at least get front foot ball
No way. Let's get NMS back. Great value.
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He probably did help in the development of Gilbert and CGB though. So may be a bit helpful.
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@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
He probably did help in the development of Gilbert and CGB though. So may be a bit helpful.
It's really a good idea isn't it. Buy players who were a flash in the pan half a decade ago even though they will never play in the hope that their skill might be bottled for other players. How you actually judge that? Who knows, but it's exceptional thinking.
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@bones said in Highlanders 2022:
It's really a good idea isn't it. Buy players who were a flash in the pan half a decade ago even though they will never play in the hope that their skill might be bottled for other players. How you actually judge that? Who knows, but it's exceptional thinking.
Revolutionary. We should have just hired him as a mentor/coach. Bring him back next year as one? Those two players have come on a lot though.
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@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:
@bones said in Highlanders 2022:
It's really a good idea isn't it. Buy players who were a flash in the pan half a decade ago even though they will never play in the hope that their skill might be bottled for other players. How you actually judge that? Who knows, but it's exceptional thinking.
Revolutionary. We should have just hired him as a mentor/coach. Bring him back next year as one? Those two players have come on a lot though.
I'll take a lot of convincing that the reason for that is NMS.
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Props
De Groot
Johnstone
Lienert-Brown
Ainsley
Ma’u
Hohneck
ThwaitesHookers
Coltman
Makalio
??Locks
Dickson
Selby-Rickit
Parkinson (out)
EvansLoosies
Withy
Evans
Lentjes
Harmon
Renton
Mikaele-Tu’u
FrizellHalfbacks
Smith
Fakatava
HammingtonFirst-five
Hunt
BanksMidfielders
Tomkinson
Gregory
Umaga-Jensen
Paea
PunivaiOutside Backs
Nareki
Garden-Bachop
Koroi
Alaimalo
Gilbert
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@chris hearing it might be Sam Caird,just awaiting confirmation
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@steven-harris said in Highlanders 2022:
@chris hearing it might be Sam Caird,just awaiting confirmation
Glad to see Caird get a contact if it is confirmed.
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@steven-harris said in Highlanders 2022:
@chris hearing it might be Sam Caird,just awaiting confirmation
Your sources are good on this, according to my sources.
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@steven-harris Damn it was hoping the Canes would nab him though at least he should get gametime with the Landers.
