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'Look at those numbers': Billy Harmon putting All Blacks selectors on notice
The Highlanders, like the All Blacks, are beginning a new era in 2024 after farewelling a major cohort and ushering in plenty of new young talent over the offseason. That hasn’t stopped them from competing though, with strong performances spearheaded by their in-form captain, Billy Harmon.
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Harmon has led his side to two wins from four games, placing them sixth on the table and firmly in the hunt for the playoffs, something the team missed out on last season.
Despite some disruption in his playing time – Harmon was relegated to the bench for the round three contest against the Waratahs for being late to a team meeting – the captain has been producing at a career-best rate early in the season. That warrants an All Blacks selection discussion.
“You want to keep an eye on guys who are putting up their hand and the skipper, the Highlanders are going to need him to play like this every week because they will be disappointed they didn’t get this result,” former All Black Jeff Wilson told The Breakdown following the Highlanders’ loss to the Brumbies.
“I just think he’s been immense, I really do. He was in the conversation (for All Blacks selection) last year, and we’ve got to remember Sam Cane’s away for the season but he’s coming back. With the competition for the seven jersey, I think (Harmon is) a guy who has some versatility, carries strongly, just look at those numbers; 26 from 26 (tackles). That’s outstanding in terms of tackle accuracy.
“Once again, I’d like to highlight guys who are putting up their hand. He’s a guy doing it not just this season, he did it last season. He’ll be, I think, in the conversation right now.”
In 2023, Harmon was a standout for the All Blacks XV after earning selection for the second consecutive year. He was one of just two loose forwards to be selected in both of the team’s campaigns, proving his consistency has been noted by All Blacks selectors in the past.
Absolutely NOBODY is stopping Billy Harmon 😤😤#HIGvBRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/8OlzlIc3Xv
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 16, 2024
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While Harmon is leading from the front for the Highlanders’ next generation, Wilson’s co-panellist Sir John Kirwan expressed more hesitancy over his potential All Blacks selection.
“I agree with you, I think the problem he might have – and I mean I never made 26 tackles in my whole career – is you’ve got these young guys coming through, like Peter Lakai. Six, seven and eight, for New Zealand, we just keep producing them. So, if he keeps performing like that, it’s going to be interesting.”
Lakai isn’t the only loose forward impressing for the Hurricanes, with previous All Blacks XV selectee Duplessis Kirifi also having joined the All Blacks environment briefly in 2020. At No. 8, another youngster has been impressing while stepping into the almighty boots of reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea.
“It’s nice to see. I think that combination, particularly at the Hurricanes, the loose forward trio, the three of them, they’ve got Brad Shields to come back into the mix who’s actually the team captain right now. Is he going to fit?
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“Brayden Iose, how fast is he? How athletic? It’s not the first time we’ve talked about him. We had a chat to him after the game (against the Crusaders), he’s really level headed, really understands what his role is. It’s just great to see when you lose an Ardie Savea and you’re wondering where the impact’s going to come from, Iose’s just been waiting and ready to go.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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