Colin Slade signs with Highlander

[TRF_nickdnz]

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph today announced that Canterbury first five-eighth Colin Slade will play for the Highlanders franchise in the 2011 Investec Super Rugby competition.

After two seasons with the Crusaders, 22-year-old Slade, will be moving further South to cement his place as a specialist in the No 10 jersey, after signing a contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Joseph said Slade’s signing was a crucial acquisition for the franchise as he works towards building a successful team and campaign next year.

“We’re very excited he is going to be a key part of our campaign. Colin is confident that the Highlanders will provide the platform to enable him to work on his aspirations to play in a black jersey in next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“This is a great opportunity for Colin to showcase his talent. I have been impressed with his qualities as a player and as a leader and he will be a great addition to the Highlanders,” Joseph said.

Slade said he was excited about the challenge of moving to a leadership role within the Highlanders next year.

“I’m really keen to shift my playing ability up to the next level, and I think playing for the Highlanders will propel me in the right direction,” Slade said.

Slade debuted for the Crusaders in 2009. He has 26 Super Rugby caps and 50 Super Rugby points with the Crusaders. He is currently playing his third provincial season with Canterbury, having debuted against Manawatu in 2008.

A talented kicker with both feet, Slade represented New Zealand in the Under 19 squad in 2006, the Junior All Blacks in 2009, and this year he played for the New Zealand Barbarians that played against the New Zealand Maori team in Whangarei this year.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/14051/...nders-for-2011

I guess it was expected. Good move if he's trying to crack the first 5/8th position. I'd like to see Robbie Robinson move to fullback and Slade play 1st 5/8th.

[Sam Owen]

Good on Slade very good player as we all know. Very hard to get game time in his preferred position when the one thats picked ahead of him is the best in the world at their postion. Up to him now I hope he can bring back the winning ways for the Highlanders thats been missing for a long time now. Hope he shines bright.

[Amobokoboko]

Really good news, this means the highlanders will have a good season.

[Charles]

Really good news, this means the highlanders will have a good season.

The way Oago is doing in the ITM cup, I wouldn't be so sure about that...One player doesn't make a team aye...

[ranger]

The way Oago is doing in the ITM cup, I wouldn't be so sure about that...One player doesn't make a team aye...

Southland are a juggernaut though, i honestly think their forward pack would match the All Blacks in terms of the rough nuggety physical side of things and in the set piece. Their backs are fairly average though so although one player doesnt make a team, one player can dramatically improve a team, especially from flyhalf. If the Highlanders coach plays to his strengths and tries to grind all the other teams out in the forwards, then i think they can definitely have a better year than the last 5 or so. The addition of Slade means that they have someone that can control the game with the boot, giving the Highlanders the right opportunities to use their grunters up front. Then every now and then when the opposition forwards have been sucked in Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith and especially Slade are the kind of players that could easily snake through tired and jagged defenses, they are probably 3 canny signings off a middle to slightly above middle table placing.

Then again their new coach is a bit of a liability so who really knows what will happen. It all adds to the excitement i suppose

[TRF_nickdnz]

Southland are a juggernaut though, i honestly think their forward pack would match the All Blacks in terms of the rough nuggety physical side of things and in the set piece. Their backs are fairly average though so although one player doesnt make a team, one player can dramatically improve a team, especially from flyhalf. If the Highlanders coach plays to his strengths and tries to grind all the other teams out in the forwards, then i think they can definitely have a better year than the last 5 or so. The addition of Slade means that they have someone that can control the game with the boot, giving the Highlanders the right opportunities to use their grunters up front. Then every now and then when the opposition forwards have been sucked in Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith and especially Slade are the kind of players that could easily snake through tired and jagged defenses, they are probably 3 canny signings off a middle to slightly above middle table placing.

Then again their new coach is a bit of a liability so who really knows what will happen. It all adds to the excitement i suppose

In terms of their backline, I think they need to get a few player in certain positions-

9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Colin Slade
11. Dwayne Sweeny (as you suggested, but I doubt they'll bid for him tbh).
12. James Wilson (maybe?)
13. Ben Smith
14. Fetu'u Vanikolo
15. Robbie Robinson

To be honest, it still looks like NZ's weakest backline. One thing Jamie Joseph can be credited with, he can coach a backline to do special things...maybe not consistanly...

[TyphoonsRugby]

Seems I predicted Slade going to the Highlanders, I did put him in their squad on Rugby 06 before this years S14 kicked off :P

[Amobokoboko]

Southland are a juggernaut though, i honestly think their forward pack would match the All Blacks in terms of the rough nuggety physical side of things and in the set piece. Their backs are fairly average though so although one player doesnt make a team, one player can dramatically improve a team, especially from flyhalf. If the Highlanders coach plays to his strengths and tries to grind all the other teams out in the forwards, then i think they can definitely have a better year than the last 5 or so. The addition of Slade means that they have someone that can control the game with the boot, giving the Highlanders the right opportunities to use their grunters up front. Then every now and then when the opposition forwards have been sucked in Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith and especially Slade are the kind of players that could easily snake through tired and jagged defenses, they are probably 3 canny signings off a middle to slightly above middle table placing.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[TRF_Cymro]

Jason Rutledge for me is such an underrated player. Still think he should be in the All Blacks current squad, he had a good S14.

[ranger]

In terms of their backline, I think they need to get a few player in certain positions-

9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Colin Slade
11. Dwayne Sweeny (as you suggested, but I doubt they'll bid for him tbh).
12. James Wilson (maybe?)
13. Ben Smith
14. Fetu'u Vanikolo
15. Robbie Robinson

To be honest, it still looks like NZ's weakest backline. One thing Jamie Joseph can be credited with, he can coach a backline to do special things...maybe not consistanly...

I think the Highlanders could definitely do better than that.. Vainikolo can bugger right off for a start, that nightmare intercept last week should be the last nail in his coffin.

9)Cowan
10)Slade
11)Patterson
12)Hobbs
13)Lynn
14)Ben Smith
15)Robinson

Is a better lineup than last year, and thats without any aditional signings or draft players. I have a good feeling about the 2011 Highlanders

[Muzzy]

Jason Rutledge for me is such an underrated player. Still think he should be in the All Blacks current squad, he had a good S14.

i agree, i think he's done enough this season to earn a place in the end of year tour as a third choice hooker at least

I think the Highlanders could definitely do better than that.. Vainikolo can bugger right off for a start, that nightmare intercept last week should be the last nail in his coffin.

9)Cowan
10)Slade
11)Patterson
12)Hobbs
13)Lynn
14)Ben Smith
15)Robinson

Is a better lineup than last year, and thats without any aditional signings or draft players. I have a good feeling about the 2011 Highlanders

yeah Vainikolo is pretty bad, he's fast but he's not a very good tackler and makes some big mistakes

other good wingers from Southland are Te Whare and Koonwaiyou. Te Whare has been an outstanding winger and centre for Southland for the last 3 or 4 seasons yet he never gets picked in the Highlanders, i don't understand it. Southland have had a lot of good players that never get picked

[TRF_Darwin]

Great signing for the Highlanders - especially given the great form he showed in the weekend versus Auckland, where he looked every bit an All Black first-five.

If I had to pick a backline from the Highlanders regions I'd go with:

9. Cowan
10. Slade
11. Paterson
12. Ben Smith (they need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible)
13. Lynn
14. Shortland
15. Robinson

I'd alternate Lynn and Shortland at centre during the game, as they may need a physical player like Shortland to take it up in the midfield at times. Wing is the big worry for me in that lineup - Shortland and Paterson are generally pretty solid, though neither are that dynamic. As Ranger said, Vainikolo can bugger right off - he's just a liability in my opinion. Chris Small is someone I'd like to see a bit more of for Otago, while there is the option of the Southland wings Te Whare and Koonwaiyou, but neither really impresses me that much.

Hobbs will certainly be an option if he every regains fitness - either at 12 (with Smith at 13) or from the bench covering 10/12.

[TRF_nickdnz]

Great signing for the Highlanders - especially given the great form he showed in the weekend versus Auckland, where he looked every bit an All Black first-five.

If I had to pick a backline from the Highlanders regions I'd go with:

9. Cowan
10. Slade
11. Paterson
12. Ben Smith (they need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible)
13. Lynn
14. Shortland
15. Robinson

I'd alternate Lynn and Shortland at centre during the game, as they may need a physical player like Shortland to take it up in the midfield at times. Wing is the big worry for me in that lineup - Shortland and Paterson are generally pretty solid, though neither are that dynamic. As Ranger said, Vainikolo can bugger right off - he's just a liability in my opinion. Chris Small is someone I'd like to see a bit more of for Otago, while there is the option of the Southland wings Te Whare and Koonwaiyou, but neither really impresses me that much.

Hobbs will certainly be an option if he every regains fitness - either at 12 (with Smith at 13) or from the bench covering 10/12.

With the number of quality outside backs at the moment, they must be able to steal at least one good wing. I mean just look at who the Cheifs could have-

Sivivatu
Masaga
Muliaina
Sweeny
Stowers
Tuala
Nanai-Williams

If the Highlanders could pinch ANY of those players, then they'd be all set for wing.

[TRF_Darwin]

With the number of quality outside backs at the moment, they must be able to steal at least one good wing. I mean just look at who the Cheifs could have-

Sivivatu
Masaga
Muliaina
Sweeny
Stowers
Tuala
Nanai-Williams

If the Highlanders could pinch ANY of those players, then they'd be all set for wing.

I agree that there are plenty of quality wings out there - I just don't have faith that the Highlanders selectors will pick any of them. Instead they will probably pick Vainikolo again, or pick someone like David Smith.

[ranger]

Great signing for the Highlanders - especially given the great form he showed in the weekend versus Auckland, where he looked every bit an All Black first-five.

If I had to pick a backline from the Highlanders regions I'd go with:

9. Cowan
10. Slade
11. Paterson
12. Ben Smith (they need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible)
13. Lynn
14. Shortland
15. Robinson

I'd alternate Lynn and Shortland at centre during the game, as they may need a physical player like Shortland to take it up in the midfield at times. Wing is the big worry for me in that lineup - Shortland and Paterson are generally pretty solid, though neither are that dynamic. As Ranger said, Vainikolo can bugger right off - he's just a liability in my opinion. Chris Small is someone I'd like to see a bit more of for Otago, while there is the option of the Southland wings Te Whare and Koonwaiyou, but neither really impresses me that much.

Hobbs will certainly be an option if he every regains fitness - either at 12 (with Smith at 13) or from the bench covering 10/12.

I forgot about Shortland.. i thought he was really quite unlucky not to make the highlanders last year, hes a strong runner and tackler. Definitely a guy you would want even if its for outside the 22

[TRF_Darwin]

I forgot about Shortland.. i thought he was really quite unlucky not to make the highlanders last year, hes a strong runner and tackler. Definitely a guy you would want even if its for outside the 22

Shortland still seems to be adjusting to playing rugby union, therefore his defensive positioning can be a bit off at times - this may be why the Highlanders selectors didn't pick him last year. With another season of rugby union behind him I imagine they will be a lot keener on picking him. I think eventually he may move into centre (he has already played a few games for Otago there last year) as he's not overly fast, but does have the strength to break the line, and does have good ball handling and distribution skills.

[TRF_nickdnz]

The Highlanders have made four new signings but don't appear any closer to retaining the services of loose forward Adam Thomson.
Wellington midfielder Shaun Treeby, Taranaki loose forward Jarrad Hoeata, and Manawatu's Aaron Smith and Nick Crosswell will all head south next season.
However coach Jamie Joseph is still in the dark when it comes Thomson, who is mulling over a move north to the Crusaders. Joseph says he hasn't even talked to Thomson so he has no idea what his plans are.
A standout centenary series for the New Zealand Maori has handed Aaron Smith a contract.
Joseph says Smith showed he could more than compete at the required level. He says against England and Ireland the pressure was on and he was a standout.
The four new signings join Canterbury first five Colin Slade on Joseph's list of newbies for 2011

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/new...s-add-signings

EDIT: Damn darwin, you beat me to it.

[Larksea]

With the number of quality outside backs at the moment, they must be able to steal at least one good wing. I mean just look at who the Cheifs could have-

Sivivatu
Masaga
Muliaina
Sweeny
Stowers
Tuala
Nanai-Williams

If the Highlanders could pinch ANY of those players, then they'd be all set for wing.

You forgot Tim Mickleson and to a lesser extent Henry Speight!

[Larksea]

Thigs are looking good for the highlanders, what they really need to do now is Secure the services of Adam Thompson and a Class winger

Ben Smith needs to play at 12 where he can have a greater impact on the game and be a steady hand outside Slade

1. MacIntosh
2. Jason
3. Newland
4. Josh Bekhuis
5. Tom Donnelly
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. Cowan
10. Slade
11. Paterson
12. Ben Smith
13. Treeby
14. ???
15. Robinson

Yet to see how the loose forwards shape up, will thompson stay, is Soakai still good enough for super14? Crosswell & Hoeata are in the mix which is good. I'm not set on Vainikolo either, an option for the bench maybe but surely they can find a better option. There are good wingers all over the place, maybe even better options than Paterson as well.

Tight 5 looks good, kees meeuws should come into the squad as a backup Prop!

[TRF_Darwin]

Thigs are looking good for the highlanders, what they really need to do now is Secure the services of Adam Thompson and a Class winger

Ben Smith needs to play at 12 where he can have a greater impact on the game and be a steady hand outside Slade

1. MacIntosh
2. Jason
3. Newland
4. Josh Bekhuis
5. Tom Donnelly
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. Cowan
10. Slade
11. Paterson
12. Ben Smith
13. Treeby
14. ???
15. Robinson

Yet to see how the loose forwards shape up, will thompson stay, is Soakai still good enough for super14? Crosswell & Hoeata are in the mix which is good. I'm not set on Vainikolo either, an option for the bench maybe but surely they can find a better option. There are good wingers all over the place, maybe even better options than Paterson as well.

Tight 5 looks good, kees meeuws should come into the squad as a backup Prop!

I agree, it looks like the Highlanders almost have a competitive squad there - if we sign (or draft) a good wing or two, and maybe another midfield back, we might even manage to get better than 3rd last this year! I'm not a fan of Newlands at prop - he's generally solid at scrum time, but lacks the work-rate around the field, and can give away stupid penalties by being overly aggressive at times. I'd like to see Chris King given the full season at tighthead alongside Southland team-mates MacIntosh and Rutledge. From what I heard, Meeuws was asked to play for the Highlanders last season but turned them down. If he was available he would be an ideal player to have in the squad, as he has huge amounts of experience, plays both sides of the scrum, and is still playing some good rugby! As you say the loose-forward mix will depend on whether Thomson is available. Even if he isn't, I'm reasonably comfortable some combination of Hoeata, Crosswell, Hardie, Boys, Soakai, and Dixon will do a good job.

I'm not yet convinced about Treeby - I need to watch a few Wellington games this year to see whether he has improved his defensive issues of last season. I think it would be great to have Smith at 12, however if was paired with Treeby I think they would have Treeby at 12 and Smith at 13 (as those are their preferred positions). Both Shortland and Lynn are both solid players who could be in the squad covering both the midfield and wing.

[TRF_nickdnz]

I agree about Meeuws, how good has he looked this season! It'd be a fitting way to give him his retirment.

[kodi2114]

israel dagg was the highlanders last year they are buggered

[Shaggy]

Looks like the highlanders have secured/retained Adam Thomson according to the Radio sports site

"Otago flanker Adam Thomson has confirmed he'll stick with the Highlanders for the first year of the Super 15.

Otago flanker Adam Thomson has confirmed his commitment to the Highlanders for the 2011 Super 15.

Thomson's services have been highly sort after, with a move to the Crusaders heavily touted.

But he's sticking with the southern franchise under new coach Jamie Joseph.

Christchurch-born Thomson debuted for the Highlanders against the Sharks in 2004.

He has 39 Super Rugby caps and 17 test caps."

[Invictus]

Probably Anesi or Stowers will be going down south, I'd imagine...

[Amobokoboko]

Slade is a very good player and will help the Highlanders to get higher on the table next season.
Thompson wanting to move to the Crusaders , I don't know what to think.
Or he wants to win a Super rugby title or he's ambitious to get back in the black jersey.
In both scenarios it makes more sense to stick in the Highlanders squad as I'm not sure he will get that much playing time for the Crusaders.
And I didn't find him that good when he was in the EOYT 2009

[Haysie]

Bates when you post it takes up half a bloody page.

From what I've seen of Colin in the S14 the last two years and tonight, it seems like it's definitely a good acquisition for the Highlanders.

[Amobokoboko]

Sorry mate, you're right.
Will drop some elements of my sig.
But I fully agree with you on Slade.

[Haysie]

Sorry mate, didn't mean to make it sound like I was having a go at you! I'm a bit shitty cause we lost to the Kiwis remember
It's up to you really how big you want your sig to be - none of my business!

[Amobokoboko]

All gud mate,

Just restyled it a bit. Does the trick as well.
I actually think you will have a great EOYT, you played really well against NZ and SA so it will be promising.

[TRF_Darwin]

Some more great news for the Highlanders, with Nasi Manu confirming he has signed for 2 years: (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/itm-cup-heartland-championship/4162605/Crusaders-losing-Manu-Isaac-Ross-may-follow)

He is one of the most promising young loose-forwards in the country, but seems to have had a number injury problems - if he can stay fully fit I'd expect him to start at number 8 for the Highlanders. The loose-forward stocks in the Highlanders region look very strong now - I'd expect Hoeata, Crosswell, Thomson, Hardie, Soakai, and Manu to be the six loosies in the squad, meaning talented players like Tim Boys and Elliot Dixon would miss out (though the may include Boys or Dixon if they plan of playing Hoeata primarily as lock).

I'm really liking the way the Highlanders squad for next year is developing thus far!