Highlanders sign Veainu, Sopoaga, Baker and Elliot Dixon

[kiwimeeky]

The Highlanders have signed four young players with an eye to the future.
Canterbury wing Telusa Veainu, who scored a try against Southland in the recent Ranfurly Shield game, Stags No8 Elliot Dixon, Wellington first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga and Taranaki fullback Kurt Baker, as The Southland Times revealed last week, have all been signed on two-year deals.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said it was vital to have a mix of experience and youth in his 32-strong squad. "... we want to make sure we have some success early on, but the following year that we are in good stead."
In the past, players like Veainu, Sopoaga and Baker would have been locked up by their home unions and would have been available to the Highlanders only if they were put into the draft, Joseph said.
With 28 players to be confirmed on Monday, Joseph said he was happy with the way the Highlanders were shaping up.
The team would have a big, experienced forward pack and a quality axis, with Adam Thomson an option at No8, halfback Jimmy Cowan and Colin Slade at first five-eighth.
If there was a concern it was a traditional one of the Highlanders, the outsides. However, Joseph believed that problem was being solved with the likes of James Paterson, Veainu and Baker.
Joseph said several Highlanders players, including the likes of Slade, Thomson and Jamie Mackintosh, would be desperate next year to force their way into World Cup reckoning.
Along with Thomson, Nasi Manu would be another loose forward option, while The Southland Times understands Taranaki's Mahonri Schwalger and Auckland's Ash Dixon will be the back-up hookers to Jason Rutledge.

Some good young players there

 

[nickdnz]

Damn it, will the Hurricanes Franchise not hold onto any of their young, up-and-coming players?!

 

[kiwimeeky]

the Hurricanes haven't made one move this off season and now they are losing prospects from inside their own franchise. Surely they won't let Beauden Barrett go as well. I don't even think they've locked down Julian Savea yet.

 

[ranger]

the Hurricanes haven't made one move this off season and now they are losing prospects from inside their own franchise. Surely they won't let Beauden Barrett go as well. I don't even think they've locked down Julian Savea yet.

Barrett got offered a spot in the Blues 22, but turned it down for a Hurricanes wider training squad contract. I think that is why Sopoaga left, there was no room for him in the 'Canes. It seems like they have retained Micheal Hobbs for the reserve 10 role.

 

[nickdnz]

I know I'll probably be alone in saying this, but would anyone else like to see the Highlanders **** right off? Give Otago and Southland to the Crusaders.

Yes, yes, I know the Highlanders have a good history, and Southland has performed well this season, but they really are a drag. When you look at the Highlanders squad, they've only had one All Black who's been in a regular starting spot, in the last 3-4 years. Adam Thompson has never really been a starting All Black, Jimmy Cowan, who was the regular starter I've mentioned, Tom Donnelly, Jamie Mackintosh...That's basically it, and only Donnelly and Cowan look to have a regular All Black future. The Highlanders consistantly let down NZ, and have looked mediocre, they're importing more and more players from outside their region, with Slade, Manu, Croswell, Newland, Sopoanga, Baker, Dagg, Dixon, Veainu, Jason Shoemark, Matt Berquist etc, not to mentioned Collin Copper.

They're a dead weight. Now Otago is coming dead last on the ITM Cup table, it gets to a point where you think, "what's a point in them being the base for a S14 team". Keep Otago etc, but there is pretty much no point in keeping a franchise that performs consistantly poorly for the last eight years, is having trouble keeping their own talent to remain playing for the Highlanders, and is relying on taking players from outside their provinces. At least if they were apart of the Crusaders, they'd have a winning enviroment.

 

[kiwimeeky]

It seems like they have retained Micheal Hobbs for the reserve 10 role.

I don't think Hobbs will be fit in time for the Super 15. He had a major operation on his back over in the States and he's aiming for next years ITM Cup for his comeback. With Weepu likely to be out till late April the Hurricanes are looking very thin.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good move by the Highlanders.
@ Nickdnz; I see your point but for the same money you could also scratch the Lions out of the S15 competition.
I reckon the highlanders are doing an effort ( if you look at there signings so far) to compete with the middle order.

 

[ranger]

Good move by the Highlanders.
@ Nickdnz; I see your point but for the same money you could also scratch the Lions out of the S15 competition.
I reckon the highlanders are doing an effort ( if you look at there signings so far) to compete with the middle order.

Nah mate, those Saffa teams might not be very good at football, but even their worst teams pull in more money than the NZ sides, we get that back through shared revenue. We just dont have the population to generate any serious revenue. Scrapping the Lions would be a far bigger financial loss than the Highlanders

 

[nickdnz]

Nah mate, those Saffa teams might not be very good at football, but even their worst teams pull in more money than the NZ sides, we get that back through shared revenue. We just dont have the population to generate any serious revenue. Scrapping the Lions would be a far bigger financial loss than the Highlanders

Agreed.

I'm also not saying, never play the odd Crusaders game at Otago, but frankly, not enough people will fill the seats to pay for Otago's nice new stadium, as who wants to see their provence get rape'd consistantly? At one point, Dunedin at least had a large revenue of drunk, and unruley students, to fill their stadium, but numbers have decreased dramatically over the last eight or so years. Watching a game at Carisbrook from the late 80's till roughly 2002, you'd see people support their team. Now it's just a constant embarrisment, at both NPC and Super 14 level.

Yes, I agree the Lions are a waste of space, but considering so many South African's will consistantly fill up the stadiums, to watch their team lose (and remember, in the Curry Cup, they're a very competitive team), I'm fine with it. But there just doesn't seem to be any reason why the Highlanders franchise should exist. It doesn't get a large amount of fan support, it's consistantly the worst performing New Zealand team, it's not doing enough to develop its own players and it's draining other franchises existing players.

It comes off as a little elitest, but at what point do you say, 'screw it'?

 

[Amobokoboko]

Ah ok, never went to a game in Carisbrook so didn't know the situation.

 

[ranger]

Agreed.

I'm also not saying, never play the odd Crusaders game at Otago, but frankly, not enough people will fill the seats to pay for Otago's nice new stadium, as who wants to see their provence get rape'd consistantly? At one point, Dunedin at least had a large revenue of drunk, and unruley students, to fill their stadium, but numbers have decreased dramatically over the last eight or so years. Watching a game at Carisbrook from the late 80's till roughly 2002, you'd see people support their team. Now it's just a constant embarrisment, at both NPC and Super 14 level.

Yes, I agree the Lions are a waste of space, but considering so many South African's will consistantly fill up the stadiums, to watch their team lose (and remember, in the Curry Cup, they're a very competitive team), I'm fine with it. But there just doesn't seem to be any reason why the Highlanders franchise should exist. It doesn't get a large amount of fan support, it's consistantly the worst performing New Zealand team, it's not doing enough to develop its own players and it's draining other franchises existing players.

It comes off as a little elitest, but at what point do you say, 'screw it'?

I think they should stick with the Highlanders, they just need to rebuild their franchise with young players instead of stacking journeymen every year. Their recruitment and academy selections have been so far below par its a wonder they have competed as well as they have. They need to get poaching quicksmart.

I don't see a huge problem with draining the talent from other provinces, everyone does it to some extent. Some are just better at it than others. Look at the Crusaders, they aim young and in bulk, there are the high profile buys such as Fruean, Guildford and Dagg, but then the canny signings no one realises.
The Whitelock brothers are from Feilding, they could have gone anywhere. George Whitelock even made his NPC debut for Otago but the Crusaders managed to swoop in and pick up 4 quality brothers. Then there is Corey Flynn from Southland, Keiran Read from Counties, Kade Poki from Manawatu, Sean Maitland from Waikato, Brad Thorn was born in Highlander country, they were also very close to signing the Barrett brothers last year before anyone knew who they were. And these are just the guys that made it, there are so many more promising outside players they lured into their academy and then cut when they weren't needed. The Crusaders have a surplus of poached talent and the Highlanders have none, how did they let that happen?

Then you look at the guys the Highlanders have gone after, the likes of Vainikolo, Setefano, Triggs etc.. its so **** poor it defies belief.

Signing Sopaga, Dixon, Baker and Veainu to multi year contracts is a great move, they need to get as many young players in as possible. It sounds **** for the provinces they came from, but its for the good of NZ rugby as a whole.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Just as I said, hopefully they will have a good season and pull more fans to their home games.

 

[bobbilycious]

I know I'll probably be alone in saying this, but would anyone else like to see the Highlanders **** right off? Give Otago and Southland to the Crusaders.

Yes, yes, I know the Highlanders have a good history, and Southland has performed well this season, but they really are a drag. When you look at the Highlanders squad, they've only had one All Black who's been in a regular starting spot, in the last 3-4 years. Adam Thompson has never really been a starting All Black, Jimmy Cowan, who was the regular starter I've mentioned, Tom Donnelly, Jamie Mackintosh...That's basically it, and only Donnelly and Cowan look to have a regular All Black future. The Highlanders consistantly let down NZ, and have looked mediocre, they're importing more and more players from outside their region, with Slade, Manu, Croswell, Newland, Sopoanga, Baker, Dagg, Dixon, Veainu, Jason Shoemark, Matt Berquist etc, not to mentioned Collin Copper.

They're a dead weight. Now Otago is coming dead last on the ITM Cup table, it gets to a point where you think, "what's a point in them being the base for a S14 team". Keep Otago etc, but there is pretty much no point in keeping a franchise that performs consistantly poorly for the last eight years, is having trouble keeping their own talent to remain playing for the Highlanders, and is relying on taking players from outside their provinces. At least if they were apart of the Crusaders, they'd have a winning enviroment.

I completely disagree with you.
The Highlanders might be losing money but they can still be an important part of NZ rugby. I see them as very important in the development of young rugby players. Obviously, they played a big role in the development of Israel Dagg (who could now go on to become a very good All Black fullback for quite a few years). Robbie Robinson is another player who has benefited from the Highlanders. He might not have had a brilliant Super 14 but the experience would have helped him in a good NZ Maori campaign.
The Highlanders have helped produced two young backs and they haven't even selected that many. They have mainly picked up journeymen. Next season they will have Treeby, Veainu, Aaron Smith, Baker, Sapoaga and Dixon getting their first shot at Super rugby. These are all players with enormous potential. The game time and being in the professional environment will be crucial for their development.
Also, look at the other players that have signed up. Colin Slade, Jarrad Hoeata and Nasi Manu. These players won't start for their home franchise but need some game time as they are very good. They could all be All Blacks within the next couple of years and need as much experience at Super Rugby as they can get before we throw them into the All Blacks. If we took away the Highlanders they probably wouldn't be getting this crucial experience. Bekhuis and Mackintosh are another couple that will benefit from the game time before becoming regular starters (if they manage this after the RWC).
The Highlanders have also given Thomson, Cowan and Donnelly consistent game time they might not have got anywhere else. They might not always be starters but it is important for our depth that they keep getting regular game time just in case of injuries (Ali Williams, Piri Weepu).
It also gives us a chance to try coaches out, although the NZRU seem to send the crappy ones there.

Also, if they can keep even a few of the young players, they could start to be a real force again. Just look at the Reds. A lot of young players who played together for a few seasons. They learnt from their mistakes and have become a very good team and nearly made the playoffs this season.

 

[Darwin]

It's about time the Highlanders started poaching some young players. Other teams have been doing it for years, but the Highlanders seemed keen to promote local talent - unfortunately all the quality local talent had already been poached by other unions, and the remaining local talent just wasn't any good! I'm really happy to see us target promising young players rather than the journeymen we usually draft in - the Highlanders may not be great next year (but still probably better than for the last few years), but if they keep the young team together for a few years they could develop into a top quality team.

On the players themselves, I'm glad to see the rumors the Veainu and Baker were coming down to the Highlanders were correct, as they are both quality young outside backs who generally do the basics right, but also can provide some spark when needed. Slightly surprised to see Sopoaga come down - he looks a quality young player, but I was expecting the Canes to put a lot of effort into keeping hold of him, as I don't think their first-five stocks are very strong. I have no idea who will backup Cruden at the Canes - I don't think Hobbs is meant to be back until March at the earliest, meaning the only recognized first-fives remaining from the region are Barrett, Kirkpatrick (who can't even start for Hawkes' Bay), and Fili (who probably won't get selected due to the fact he plays for Samoa)... It will be interesting to see who they pick.

I think many people underestimate how much of an impact having a new Stadium will have on crowd numbers - the crowd numbers are going to increase dramatically for several reasons. The fact it is completely enclosed will make going to the rugby far more attractive, as no-one wants to sit and watch rugby on a cold Dunedin day. However the main reason that there will be more people going is the location of the new stadium, which is in the heart of the student area. The old Carisbrook is a good 45 min walk from the majority of the student accommodation, meaning most students needed to get transport to and from the ground. In contrast, 20,000+ students are now only a stones throw away from the new stadium, with the stadium itself only 5 mins walk from the nearest pub. If the Highlanders can develop a competitive team that plays a good brand of rugby I see no reason why the students will not head to the ground in droves.

 

[ranger]

It's about time the Highlanders started poaching some young players. Other teams have been doing it for years, but the Highlanders seemed keen to promote local talent - unfortunately all the quality local talent had already been poached by other unions, and the remaining local talent just wasn't any good! I'm really happy to see us target promising young players rather than the journeymen we usually draft in - the Highlanders may not be great next year (but still probably better than for the last few years), but if they keep the young team together for a few years they could develop into a top quality team.

On the players themselves, I'm glad to see the rumors the Veainu and Baker were coming down to the Highlanders were correct, as they are both quality young outside backs who generally do the basics right, but also can provide some spark when needed. Slightly surprised to see Sopoaga come down - he looks a quality young player, but I was expecting the Canes to put a lot of effort into keeping hold of him, as I don't think their first-five stocks are very strong. I have no idea who will backup Cruden at the Canes - I don't think Hobbs is meant to be back until March at the earliest, meaning the only recognized first-fives remaining from the region are Barrett, Kirkpatrick (who can't even start for Hawkes' Bay), and Fili (who probably won't get selected due to the fact he plays for Samoa)... It will be interesting to see who they pick.

I think many people underestimate how much of an impact having a new Stadium will have on crowd numbers - the crowd numbers are going to increase dramatically for several reasons. The fact it is completely enclosed will make going to the rugby far more attractive, as no-one wants to sit and watch rugby on a cold Dunedin day. However the main reason that there will be more people going is the location of the new stadium, which is in the heart of the student area. The old Carisbrook is a good 45 min walk from the majority of the student accommodation, meaning most students needed to get transport to and from the ground. In contrast, 20,000+ students are now only a stones throw away from the new stadium, with the stadium itself only 5 mins walk from the nearest pub. If the Highlanders can develop a competitive team that plays a good brand of rugby I see no reason why the students will not head to the ground in droves.

It is puzzling but i can see where the Hurricanes management was coming from. They have been visiting, watching and administering tests to Sopoaga and Barrett all season, and the conclusion they came to was that Barrett was the better option. As much as they would like to have both, its far too much of a gamble. At 21 Cruden isn't too old himself, let alone the prospect of both the other options being teenagers.

They need an experienced first five in the mix, they may have been lining up Weepu to play more first five but that seems unlikely. They have shown no interest in Kirkpatrick looks who looks set to be the third string first five at the Blues again if he makes it at all. They could be talking to a guy like Burleigh or Trent Renata, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if they use one of their overseas spots for their backup first five.

On a tangent, the NZ Under 20 team for next year looks insane already, considering the gun first fives we have coming through at the moment. The side is coming together very nicely

1)TBC
2)Reg Goodes
3)TBC
4)TBC
5)Brad Shields
6)Hayden Bedwell-Curtis
7)Sam Cane
8)Luke Whitelock
9)TJ Perenara
10)Gareth Anscome
11)Charles Piutau
12)Lima Sopoaga
13)Chauncy Edwardson
14)Glen Robertson
15)Beauden Barrett

 

[donmcdazzle]

They have definitely signed some good young players, it's up to Jamie joseph to get them playing a good style to bring the fans back. Over the last fews years they've been scrappy and have had lot of tight games but have never been that much fun to watch (stupid rules didn't help this either). With a decent sort of pack taking shape i just hope these young blokes can click in the backline. I hope so, used to love watching the 90's highlanders when they threw it around and had a go.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Curious about their performance next season.

 

[bobbilycious]

It is puzzling but i can see where the Hurricanes management was coming from. They have been visiting, watching and administering tests to Sopoaga and Barrett all season, and the conclusion they came to was that Barrett was the better option. As much as they would like to have both, its far too much of a gamble. At 21 Cruden isn't too old himself, let alone the prospect of both the other options being teenagers.

They need an experienced first five in the mix, they may have been lining up Weepu to play more first five but that seems unlikely. They have shown no interest in Kirkpatrick looks who looks set to be the third string first five at the Blues again if he makes it at all. They could be talking to a guy like Burleigh or Trent Renata, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if they use one of their overseas spots for their backup first five.

On a tangent, the NZ Under 20 team for next year looks insane already, considering the gun first fives we have coming through at the moment. The side is coming together very nicely

1)TBC
2)Reg Goodes
3)TBC
4)TBC
5)Brad Shields
6)Hayden Bedwell-Curtis
7)Sam Cane
8)Luke Whitelock
9)TJ Perenara
10)Gareth Anscome
11)Charles Piutau
12)Lima Sopoaga
13)Chauncy Edwardson
14)Glen Robertson
15)Beauden Barrett

I thought Reg Goodes was more a prop who could cover hooker than the other way round. You could put Ben Tameifuna at hooker (played for Hawkes Bay in some of the warm up games - think he can cover prop too). Also, I think Luke Whitelock might be too old to be eligible (I have heard on some sites that he is eligible and some that he isn't - I'm certain the IRB website said he was too old. The All Blacks site says he will be eligible so I guess we go with that).
Francis Saili (played some preseason Auckland games) is another player that could fit into the backline (if we decide to only start two of Sopoaga, Barrett and Anscombe).

 

[ranger]

I thought Reg Goodes was more a prop who could cover hooker than the other way round. You could put Ben Tameifuna at hooker (played for Hawkes Bay in some of the warm up games - think he can cover prop too). Also, I think Luke Whitelock might be too old to be eligible (I have heard on some sites that he is eligible and some that he isn't - I'm certain the IRB website said he was too old. The All Blacks site says he will be eligible so I guess we go with that).
Francis Saili (played some preseason Auckland games) is another player that could fit into the backline (if we decide to only start two of Sopoaga, Barrett and Anscombe).

Nah Goodes may have played prop before but hes too small to keep at it, considering hes only 108kg. That's the same weight as Sonny Bill. He needs to play hooker if hes going to get anywhere.
Luke Whitelock was in the NZ under 17s in 2008, so he must be eligible again. I think someone at the IRB website got their facts wrong.
And i thought about Saili but he seems to be a bit of a flat track bully to me. He would be used more in the pool games against weaker opponents who wont be able to stop his brute force game.

 

[Charles]

Nah Goodes may have played prop before but hes too small to keep at it, considering hes only 108kg. That's the same weight as Sonny Bill. He needs to play hooker if hes going to get anywhere.

Nonsense...Thomas Domingo who's France regular LH prop is 107 kgs, Bastareaud is 120. Tialata, the heaviest AB ever, is ****. Technique is everything in the scrum.