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The GOAT is back to fill gap for the Highlanders

Marty Banks with captain Ben Smith in support. Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images

Aaron Mauger has announced his Highlanders squad for the 2019 Super Rugby season, headlined by the return of cult hero Marty Banks.

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The fan-favourite Banks helps fill an experience gap left by departing All Black Lima Sopoaga and the recent announcement of the Hurricanes signing Fletcher Smith. Otago first five-eighth Josh Ioane shapes as the future of the Highlanders, but will compete with Banks and ex-Blues first five Bryn Gatland for the starting jersey this year.

“We already had Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland locked in, and we have been really pleased with how they have progressed in Mitre 10 Cup, and feel they are ready to step up,” head coach Aaron Mauger explained.

“In the end, what we were looking for is somebody to add just that little bit of experience to the group, someone who can mentor those guys through, but also compete and challenge for that number 10 spot.

“We feel with all the guys we assessed, Marty was the best candidate for that role.

The Highlanders front-row stocks received a boost with the signings of hooker Ray Niuia, and props Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnston and ex-Queensland Red Sef Fa’afase.

“Part of the learnings from the 2018 Highlanders was our ability to contest up front against bigger sides.

“So that’s one thing we were looking at [a bit of size] when we were looking to recruiting our forward pack, a bit of bulk, and we feel that Ayden Johnston and Josh Iosefa-Scott are going to give us that up front, a well as Sef Fa’agase.

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Current props Aki Seiuli and Kalolo Tuiloma are believed to be out for one season, following injuries in the Mitre 10 Cup.

“Aki did his knee playing for Otago and Kalolo sustained a neck injury playing for Counties. It is likely he will have surgery in January that will rule him out for the whole season.

A major snare was the recruitment of Hawkes Bay and last year’s Hastings Boys halfback Folau Fakatava. The 19-year-old halfback was injured in the national 1st XV semi-final and subsequently missed his chance to play in the New Zealand schoolboys side. His elevation into a Super Rugby squad already speaks to his pedigree and what he will potentially bring to the Highlanders in the future.

“I reckon he is going to add a real spark to this team, and that’s what we are looking for, something a little bit different,” Mauger explained on Fakatava’s signing.

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“He’s a very young man, still only 19-years old. He’s been up in the Hawkes Bay environment for a number of years. Probably still a little bit green, he hasn’t played a lot of minutes but we see massive potential in Folau to bring a different dynamic to our game.

“He loves having a crack, backs himself, and is very physical for a smaller guy and he’s just got ‘game’.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpkvri6HTBh/?taken-by=highlandersteam

More Super Rugby squads:

Chiefs 2019 Super Rugby squad
Hurricanes 2019 Super Rugby squad
Crusaders 2019 Super Rugby squad
Blues 2019 Super Rugby squad

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J
JW 47 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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