Ellison signs with highlanders

[ACT1NUP]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5610268/Highlanders-sign-up-returning-Tamati-Ellison

So another Wellington boy not keen to join with the Canes. Mark Hammett needs to take a hike.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Highlanders will have a good backline next year...
Cowan, Slade, Gear, Ellison, Lynn, Poki, Smith

 

[nickdnz]

Looks like Cory Jane and Conrad Smith will be the only two playing the fiddle while Rome burns.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I would have treeby and Ellison in the midfield... I'm looking forward to next season

 

[ACT1NUP]

Highlanders backs lookin' good alright, seemed pretty dire for them not so long ago but some good signings in the backs. Pretty shocked that Ellison has gone south though, knew he was coming back but really, the highlanders?. I know he has a good relationship with Jamie Joseph but the man is Porirua through and through, lost oppotunity for the Canes, all this freed up money and who have they signed of note?. What are the WRFU up to? guess we'll just have to pick up Umaga and Lomu again, no-one else is dumb enough.

 

[ranger]

One of my favourite players, glad hes coming back. Bit of a headache in that his best position looked to be 14 before he left and the Highlanders are set for wings..
Maybe give this lot a run in the trial games:

9)Cowan
10)Slade
11)Gear
12)Treeby
13)Poki
14)Ellison
15)Smith

20)Smith
21)Sopoaga
22)Piutau

 

[nickdnz]

One of my favourite players, glad hes coming back. Bit of a headache in that his best position looked to be 14 before he left and the Highlanders are set for wings..
Maybe give this lot a run in the trial games:

9)Cowan
10)Slade
11)Gear
12)Treeby
13)Poki
14)Ellison
15)Smith

20)Smith
21)Sopoaga
22)Piutau

Always much preferred him at 13 or even 12. Never thought he had the pace to be a good winger.

 

[Darwin]

Good to see Ellison back in NZ, and particularly good to have him at the Highlanders. It's great to have another player who can cover multiple positions too.

One of my favourite players, glad hes coming back. Bit of a headache in that his best position looked to be 14 before he left and the Highlanders are set for wings..
Maybe give this lot a run in the trial games:

9)Cowan
10)Slade
11)Gear
12)Treeby
13)Poki
14)Ellison
15)Smith

20)Smith
21)Sopoaga
22)Piutau

I'm not convinced about Poki at centre, but as you say it may be worth giving him a couple of trial games there to see how he goes. There are some obvious benefits of having him in the midfield (he's a massive threat on attack, and he won't have to catch many high balls there), but Poki to me always plays his best rugby when he has a license to roam around and pop up at the right time - something he can't really do if he is playing centre. I'm also not convinced about his distribution skills, and given we now have Hosea Gear on the wing we must give him the ball! I'd stick with Lynn at centre at this stage, but wouldn't mind seeing Piutau at centre vs more physical teams.

In terms of where I see Ellision fitting in.. I'm not 100% at this stage. However given both the Highlanders wings are injury prone I'd imagine there will be plenty of opportunity for him to start on the wing. I also see him as the primary backup for Treeby at 12, and wouldn't actually mind seeing him paired with Treeby in the midfield at some stage. It's great that the Highlanders have some decent options for a change!

 

[UilamOsa]

Always much preferred him at 13 or even 12. Never thought he had the pace to be a good winger.

Agreed. Except that I thought he had decent pace.

I thought he was a better midfielder because of he had a massive range of options as well as setting his backline free.

Also, Jamie Joseph for next AB's forwards coach.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Jamie for prime minister you mean!.....just give him ten years at our helm first ;o)