Stags confirm 2019 line up
Rugby Southland has confirmed a 35-man squad to contest the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.
“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,” Stags head coach Dave Hewett said.
“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.
“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 from their respective Super Rugby campaigns across the Tasman. They will bring experience to the midfield and outside backs.
This season kicks off against Northland at Rugby Park Stadium on Thursday August 8th, followed by a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago on August 17th in what will be one of the biggest derbies 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
