Highlanders 2013

[Darwin]

I wouldn't mind seeing Joe Wheeler get a few chances at 6 next season, as I believe that is his best position. He has really struggled with injuries over the last couple of seasons, but I think he has the potential to be a very good Super Rugby player.

I'm a bit worried about our lack of depth at 8. Over the last couple of seasons Nasi Manu has been forced to play almost every game, and he has noticeable faded as the season has progressed. We actually had good cover last season in the form of James Haskell, but our injury crisis at 7 / Haskell getting himself suspended meant Manu had to play almost the whole season again. Dixon has been in the squad for the last couple of years, but has been injured almost the whole time, so I can't see them re-signing him. I would love to get Jordan Taufua, but by all reports he will sign with the Crusaders (if he hasn't already), and similarly Jimmy Tupou sounds like he is heading to Crusaders country. Adam Cathcart would be a good signing, and they may be tempted to give Paul Grant another go, as he really stepped up for Otago this season before he got injured (Gareth Evans is another option they may consider).

 

[Kiwiwomble]

You already have Tim Boys and Doug Tietjens (and, obviously, Hardie). I can't see Joseph trying to get another openside. I would have thought he'd go for a specialist blindside option just in case Hoeata gets injured.

don't know that we have signed Boys on a full, last year he was only wider training group...and i dont rate tietjens (hoping to be proved wrong)

 

[bobbilycious]

Link

Nope, he didn't even make the WTG for this year.
I would have thought that if he was just a WTG member he would not have been offered a contract this early. He is hardly a player other teams will have been after.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

What about TJ Ioane?

 

[Darwin]

What about TJ Ioane?

:rahh:

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i for one would be interested to see what Joseph could do to teach TJ a few things.......:bye:

 

[Darwin]

i for one would be interested to see what Joseph could do to teach TJ a few things.......:bye:

Rumor has it that the Highlanders offered Ioane a contract, but when they were handing it to him he dropped it

 

[donmcdazzle]

don't know that we have signed Boys on a full, last year he was only wider training group...and i dont rate tietjens (hoping to be proved wrong)

I reckon the highlanders got confused between the Manawatu 7's. Callum Gibbins is better than Tietjens for sure.

 

[Darwin]

I reckon the highlanders got confused between the Manawatu 7's. Callum Gibbins is better than Tietjens for sure.

I would go for neither......
I do agree though - based on what I have seen of Gibbins this season he looks a better player than Tietjens (he was one of the few Manawatu players that really stood out against Otago too).

 

[Darwin]

BRAD THORN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have your attention, it has been confirmed today that Brad Thorn has signed with the Highlanders :bana::bana::bana::bana::carrot::bana::bana::bana::bana:

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i'm starting to get a bad feeling, if we win the thing now everyone will just say be bought it and if we dont win we'll be chokers...starting to seem loose loose

 

[Darwin]

i'm starting to get a bad feeling, if we win the thing now everyone will just say be bought it and if we dont win we'll be chokers...starting to seem loose loose

Picture this if you will:

Ben Smith -----> :champion:

Does that not bring joy to your heart.

 

[Draggs]

Woodcock, Thorn, Nonu.
Plenty of experience, I'd expect Highlanders to be in the top 6, if the setup was different.

 

[Amobokoboko]

It will be even better to watch the Highlanders which such a good team.

 

[Sam Owen]

Does NZ have a lack of depth in the locks department again?...IMO Brad Thorn should be washed up but when I compare his form last year to Retallick and Romanos, I'd pick Thorn. It'll be interseting to see how he goes.

Allied Work Force, Drake cant match the Otago Highlanders in recruitment this year.

 

[nickdnz]

i'm starting to get a bad feeling, if we win the thing now everyone will just say be bought it and if we dont win we'll be chokers...starting to seem loose loose

Even if the Highlanders do lose, Jamie Joseph will some how buy the trophy for the Highlanders before the next season starts...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

i'm starting to get a bad feeling, if we win the thing now everyone will just say be bought it and if we dont win we'll be chokers...starting to seem loose loose

That's my feeling - regardless of the legitimacy of them getting all the players they have, they now have them. If they don't win with the team they've got... well.

 

[Darwin]

That's my feeling - regardless of the legitimacy of them getting all the players they have, they now have them. If they don't win with the team they've got... well.

I would be very disappointed if the Highlanders didn't make the playoffs with the team they have compiled, but I don't think they favourites. On paper I think they are the second best NZ team now, marginally ahead of the Chiefs, but still behind the Crusaders. If you compare the Highlanders starting XV with the Crusaders I think the Crusaders have a very slight edge in the locks, an advantage in the loosies (even without McCaw), a clear edge in the halves, and a massive advantage in terms of goal-kicking ability. The only area where I think the Highlanders are better than the Crusaders is in the midfield.

In reality this team is very similar in strength to the Blues side at the start of last season, so having a successful season is far from guaranteed. The major area of concern for me going into next season is goal-kicking. Slade isn't an established goal-kicker at any level, and though Sopoaga looks to be improving in this regard, I'm not yet convinced he is a good enough goal-kicker at this level (though I would love to be proven wrong!). Probably the only good goal-kicker we will have in the squad will be Parker (who by all accounts will be signed) - given Slade will probably be injured by week 2 we should at least have a good goal-kicker on the bench! There are a few other areas of concern for me (e.g. TH prop, loose-forward depth etc), but it is hard to know how these will affect us till the season starts.

Oh, and the word around town is that Thomson has not re-signed for the Highlanders, and will be moving overseas....

 

[Kiwiwomble]

That's my feeling - regardless of the legitimacy of them getting all the players they have, they now have them. If they don't win with the team they've got... well.

DOes anyone, Hand to god, think we've done something illegal to get these guys in, taking into cosideration everything we've talked about like previouslt over paid players freeing up cash and getting more from NZRU?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7834727/Highlanders-aggressive-in-Super-off-season

an interesting article explaining how things have gone down

I would be very disappointed if the Highlanders didn't make the playoffs with the team they have compiled, but I don't think they favourites. On paper I think they are the second best NZ team now, marginally ahead of the Chiefs, but still behind the Crusaders. If you compare the Highlanders starting XV with the Crusaders I think the Crusaders have a very slight edge in the locks, an advantage in the loosies (even without McCaw), a clear edge in the halves, and a massive advantage in terms of goal-kicking ability. The only area where I think the Highlanders are better than the Crusaders is in the midfield.

In reality this team is very similar in strength to the Blues side at the start of last season, so having a successful season is far from guaranteed. The major area of concern for me going into next season is goal-kicking. Slade isn't an established goal-kicker at any level, and though Sopoaga looks to be improving in this regard, I'm not yet convinced he is a good enough goal-kicker at this level (though I would love to be proven wrong!). Probably the only good goal-kicker we will have in the squad will be Parker (who by all accounts will be signed) - given Slade will probably be injured by week 2 we should at least have a good goal-kicker on the bench! There are a few other areas of concern for me (e.g. TH prop, loose-forward depth etc), but it is hard to know how these will affect us till the season starts.

Oh, and the word around town is that Thomson has not re-signed for the Highlanders, and will be moving overseas....

and maybe the front row? maybe even?

 

[Gavin]

Who cares how the Highlanders got these players? Jez, if I was a supporter I'd be damn happy.