Highlanders snap up seven new players

[donmcdazzle]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10567265/Highlanders-snap-up-seven-new-players

Who does Mark Reddish have naked photos of that he keeps getting Super contracts?! The guy is a borderline ITM player - no idea how he gets picked at this level.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I actually think Reddish is a decent grafter, he's certainly no superstar, but he's a hard worker.

Dan Pryor is a good pick up, though they do already have Christie and Hardie. Dixon and Edmonds are also good players to add to the roster. The rest... Not so much.

 

[nickdnz]

Glad Pryor got a contract - he's been everywhere of late and certainly can make an impact. Agree with Christie and Hardie there he may struggle for game time - he could make a good impact from the bench as he can play a number of positions (although I imagine TJ Ioane already has the super sub position sewed up).

The front rowers were a bit strange. Josh Hohneck has been involved with the Chiefs for a few years but clearly wasn't rated as a starter. His tackling percentages have been below 75% this ITM Cup and he's only making around 5-6 tackles per match (although has been a very solid scrummager for Waikato (not hurt by having Tameifuna at TH). Pingi Tala’apitag is even stranger considering he has an fairly average work rate and a tackle % below 70% and doesn't offer much at all ball in hand. Ross Geldenhuys has looked pretty solid for Tasman...but he's 31 years old. I guess he has had experience having played plenty of Currie Cup - but he was never anywhere near a first choice player in Super Rugby. I'd be interested in hearing some South African's view on him.

As for Reddish, he's a solid player to have as a replacement if your bench gets injured. He has a bit of grunt and a fair work rate. Not unhappy Highlanders have signed him as it means we can look for a younger and more promising option to get game time from the bench (as Thrush and Broadhurst have to be our first choice options).

 

[Darwin]

Hmmmm.....

Not the most inspiring selections, but no real surprises, as the all seem to fit into the particular mould of player that Joseph likes (e.g. non-flashy players with good work-rates). If we go through the players themselves:

Edmonds, Tala'apitaga, Geldenhuys, Hohneck.

That's a lot of props! The Highlanders were always going to need to sign some new props given they only had 2 props remaining on their books (Hames and Fia). Given the limited number of quality props available the selections aren't too bad in my opinion. I understand Hohneck has been signed for some time now. He's a handy ball runner, can play on both sides (though is mainly a TH these days), has a reasonable work-rate and is an improving scrummager (though his height can be an issue). I think Geldenhuys is an excellent pick-up. He's had a lot of experience in South Africa (a few Super Rugby seasons with the Lions), is a solid scrummager, and is surprisingly handy with ball in hand. Edmonds has presumably been picked mainly for his scrummaging, and he can play on both sides. The only one can't really understand is Tala'apitaga. Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of BOP this season, but he has never stood out in any aspect to me. Given we already have 3 TH's (Geldenhuys, Hohneck, Fia) and Edmonds is capable on both sides I can't see the need for another TH either? For me Tala'apitaga is only the 4th best prop in BOP - I would have preferred Sakalia or Kainga if we needed a 2nd BOP prop (alongside Hames).

I would have quite liked to see young Aki Seiuli given a contract. He is still quite raw, but his ball carrying is outstanding for a prop, and I think both his work-rate and defense have improved noticeably this season. The other unsigned (as far I know) props that I would have targeted would have been Alex Hodgeman, Greg Pleasants-Tate, and Mitch Graham, but I suspect some (or all) of these will already be signed by other franchises...

Dixon
As I've mentioned before I think he is an excellent signing, and indeed should be the Highlanders 1st choice hooker unless Coltman's throwing has improved dramatically be the start of next season

Reddish
Meh. At least he's less of a hot-head than Hoeata. I'm not overly happy with this pick though. Reddish can be an ok contributor, but I feel there were better options available, and Joseph is almost certainly going to start him for at least one match this season at 6 (as he just can't help playing locks at 6). Obviously the Highlanders have space for at least one more lock, but I would have preferred Scott Barrett (perhaps already signed with the Crusaders?), Tom Murday (a quality lineout option, though perhaps signed with the Blues?), Christian Llyod, Nick Ross, Joe Latta, Michael Fatialofa.... someone with some potential to be something other than mediocre. Indeed I would have even looked at the likes of James Tucker or Brian Alainu'uese who are both injured (I assume Tucker is injured?) but have the potential to be very good at this level.

Pryor
Good signing, though openside is one position where we already have two good players (I'm assuming Christie and Hardie will both be back). Pryor's running game is a real asset, and I reckon he could be a handy option to use of the bench once/if the game opens up.

 

[Larksea]

Glad to see Pryor get in somewhere I his parents they will be happy. I thought he probably deserved to play super rugby sooner.

 

[Darwin]

Fumiaki Tanaka has re-signed with the Highlanders for another season. I'm not really sure what to think of this. I love him when playing for Otago, but his lack of size is a big issue at Super Rugby level, especially when paired with another very small halfback in Aaron Smith. Small halfbacks can often struggle if he forwards don't provide a solid platform - if Aaron Smith is getting hammered behind the breakdown we have the even smaller Tanaka to bring on to fix this problem. Hmmm. The fact is there wasn't really any halfbacks in the ITM Cup shouting "pick me", so he may well be the best option available.

According to that article it appear Frae Wilson will be our third halfback. I couldn't be more disappointed. What has he ever done? He can't even start for Wellington, and even when he gets on the field he is an average player at ITM Cup level. Joseph has a love affair with anyone who have ever played for Wellington or NZ Maori, so it should be no surprise that someone like Wilson (who have played for both) gets selected I suppose.

On the positive side it sounds like Waisake Naholo has signed (or will be signing) for the Highlanders next season (haven't seen this confirmed though). He would be great signing in my opinion as we have a serious dearth of outside backs on our books. He has always been a great attacking player but what has impressed me this year is the improvement in his work-rate and defense - he looks far more ready for Super Rugby now than he did when he was first introduced a couple of years ago.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Fumiaki Tanaka has re-signed with the Highlanders for another season. I'm not really sure what to think of this. I love him when playing for Otago, but his lack of size is a big issue at Super Rugby level, especially when paired with another very small halfback in Aaron Smith. Small halfbacks can often struggle if he forwards don't provide a solid platform - if Aaron Smith is getting hammered behind the breakdown we have the even smaller Tanaka to bring on to fix this problem. Hmmm. The fact is there wasn't really any halfbacks in the ITM Cup shouting "pick me", so he may well be the best option available.

According to that article it appear Frae Wilson will be our third halfback. I couldn't be more disappointed. What has he ever done? He can't even start for Wellington, and even when he gets on the field he is an average player at ITM Cup level. Joseph has a love affair with anyone who have ever played for Wellington or NZ Maori, so it should be no surprise that someone like Wilson (who have played for both) gets selected I suppose.

On the positive side it sounds like Waisake Naholo has signed (or will be signing) for the Highlanders next season (haven't seen this confirmed though). He would be great signing in my opinion as we have a serious dearth of outside backs on our books. He has always been a great attacking player but what has impressed me this year is the improvement in his work-rate and defense - he looks far more ready for Super Rugby now than he did when he was first introduced a couple of years ago.

Don't forget anyone over 30 but has played in Japan

Hadn't heard about naholo, that would be great news