This morning Rugby Southland had the pleasure of announcing our 2019 SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags Squad. The event was celebrated by staff, sponsors and players alike.

“The squad of thirty five we have assembled is still one of the most local Mitre 10 Cup squads in the country, 26 of whom are from Southland. We also have players such as Marty McKenzie and Mike McKee who have returned to their home province after a few years away, but we are still proud to claim them as our own” Head coach Dave Hewett said.

“We are excited about the squad, they are gelling very well and the new players in the squad are going to bring their own individual strengths to the Southland Jersey”

Elliot Dixon will be returning to the province, although with an upcoming international club deal in Japan, the Union and Elliot have some processes to go through before he can take the field.

Seb Wileman (Reds) and Lausii Taliauli (Brumbies) both join the squad fresh of their Super Rugby season. They will bring experience to the midfield and outside backs. 

This season kicks of against Northland at Rugby Park Stadium Thursday August 8^th, followed by a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago on August 17^th  in what will be one of the biggest derby’s of the Mitre 10 Cup.

The 2019 SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags Squad is as follows:

Props

Joe Walsh – Woodlands

Ethan De Groot - Invercargill Blues

Chris Apoua - Star

Shaun Stodart - Marist

Morgan Mitchell - Toronto Arrows

Hookers

Flynn Thomas - Marist

Brayden Mitchell – Star

Greg Pleasants-Tate    - Star

Locks

Manaaki Selby-Rickit    - Star

Ben Fotheringham  - Marist

Ray Tatafu - Invercargill Blues

Mike McKee - Asia Pacific Dragons

Loose Forwards

Ben Paulin - Invercargill Blues

Taine Te Whata - Invercargill Blues

Charles Alaimalo - Woodlands

Matt James - Woodlands

Phil Halder - Marist

Number 8’s

Bill Fukofuka - Invercargill Blues

Pasilio Tosi – Marist

Elliot Dixon - Highlanders

Halfbacks

Jay Renton - Invercargill Blues

Nico Costa - Woodlands

Logan Crowley - Taranaki

1st Five Eights’

Mitchell Taylor - Invercargill Blues

Scott Eade - Marist

Marty McKenzie - Chiefs

Midfield

Ray Nu’u - Green Island

Javaan Fa’amoe- Ioane   - Marist

Seb Wileman - Queensland Reds

Moses Faletolu - Woodlands

Outside backs

Lewis Ormond - Woodlands

Issac Te Tamaki - Pirates Old Boys

Rory Van Vugt - ENC Barbarians

Josh Moorby - Woodlands

Lausii Taliauli - Brumbies

Captain: TBC

Vice Captain:  TBC

Head Coach- Dave Hewett

Assistant Coach (Attack Coach) Jason Kawau

Assistant Coach (Defence Coach) Dale MacLeod     

Article added: Friday 19 July 2019