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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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Nickers 38 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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