Highlanders call up Ben Atiga

[nickdnz]

The Highlanders will call on another veteran of New Zealand rugby to help ease their injury crisis.
Wing James Paterson is gone for the season while Siale Piutau and Kade Poki both face several weeks on the sidelines.
Assistant coach Simon Culhane says former All Black and Auckland utility back Ben Atiga will come into the mix.
He says he's in their wider-training group and has been playing well in club rugby.
In-form flanker Adam Thomson has also been ruled out for up to three weeks with a rib injury.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/9345014/highlanders-to-call-on-atiga/

Played well in the NPC. Always had a soft spot for him.

 

[Darwin]

No surprise to see him called up, given he was included in the Highlanders wider training squad this year. Apparently Buxton Popoali'i is also training with the Highlanders at that moment, and may be offically included in the squad if Siale Piutau's injury is as bad as feared.

Atiga is a good experienced player to add to the squad, and could be in action (from the bench) as soon as this weekend, as it sounds like Poki won't be available. I'd imagine young Telusa Veainu may get his first start for the Highlanders this week, joining Smith and Robinson it the back three (as they are the only 3 fit outside backs from the original squad!). Unfortunately it may mean Smith has to shift to the wing (where he is less effective) as Robinson's defense was badly exposed on the wing last week. This could, however, set up a great match-up between Smith and Hosea Gear though!

 

[nickdnz]

No surprise to see him called up, given he was included in the Highlanders wider training squad this year. Apparently Buxton Popoali'i is also training with the Highlanders at that moment, and may be offically included in the squad if Siale Piutau's injury is as bad as feared.

Atiga is a good experienced player to add to the squad, and could be in action (from the bench) as soon as this weekend, as it sounds like Poki won't be available. I'd imagine young Telusa Veainu may get his first start for the Highlanders this week, joining Smith and Robinson it the back three (as they are the only 3 fit outside backs from the original squad!). Unfortunately it may mean Smith has to shift to the wing (where he is less effective) as Robinson's defense was badly exposed on the wing last week. This could, however, set up a great match-up between Smith and Hosea Gear though!

It'd be great to see him in action, been brillaint with the 7's team (better than Cama in my opinion). Got a brillaint step. Veainu will be good to watch as well.

 

[Shaggy]

Oh wow! ... it's my 1,000 post ... and they said I wouldn't stick around!

... but on the topic ... I've been hoping that they'd give Veainu a go, as he played well for the NZ U20's last year, and looked good for the Canterbury ITM cup side, so hopefully he'll go well at Super level as well

 

[Darwin]

Oh wow! ... it's my 1,000 post ... and they said I wouldn't stick around!

... but on the topic ... I've been hoping that they'd give Veainu a go, as he played well for the NZ U20's last year, and looked good for the Canterbury ITM cup side, so hopefully he'll go well at Super level as well

I've been a bit disappointed that Veainu hasn't been given more of a chance so far, because (as you say) he was very impressive with the under 20's and Canterbury. He looked very composed for Canterbury, and I have no doubt he will be do well at Super Rugby level. You could suggest they are being cautious with him because of his age, but Joseph seems to have no issue playing Sopoaga, who is a couple of months younger. Hopefully Veainu will get his chance this week.

It'd be great to see him in action, been brillaint with the 7's team (better than Cama in my opinion). Got a brillaint step. Veainu will be good to watch as well.

Yeah Popoali'i looks great with some space to move, but I feel his lack of size may count against him at Super Rugby level. He struggles defensively against bigger players (and that's usually every opposition player on the field); he really still needs to put in a lot of work on his tackling technique. I watched him in Dunedin club rugby a couple weeks ago - he missed a few tackles even at club level (but broke the line almost at will!).

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i am starteing to get a bit worried about a team with several new combos up against the canes with nonu and weepu def back (from what i just heard on the radio) and maybe even smith....I going to take the attitude that I didn't expect to beat them in the first road so you just never know whats going to happen and maybe a few fringe guys getting a shot will try their hardest to take it...

 

[dan-the-man]

Sweet, I rate Atinga. Is he still as quick as he used to be though? haven't seen him play in a while

 

[Darwin]

Sweet, I rate Atinga. Is he still as quick as he used to be though? haven't seen him play in a while

Atiga played a few games for Auckland last year, and certainly didn't look as quick as he used to be. He was weighing over 100kg though, and apparently had been closer to 120kg six months before that when he wasn't playing rugby. If he has been in full time rugby training for the last six months I see no reason why he won't get his speed back and be the quality player he once was.