McKenzie back in maroon for 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season

Six years after heading north, Marty McKenzie will return to the Southland Stags in 2019.

McKenzie made 26 appearances for the Stags from 2011 to 2013 before linking with Taranaki.

Capable of playing at first five, fullback or on the wing, McKenzie has gone onto play for the Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders in Super Rugby, as well as representing New Zealand under 20, New Zealand Sevens and the Maori All Blacks.

“It’s an exciting time for Rugby Southland, the team have made some huge progress and I’m confident that we’ll have a good season,” McKenzie, a brother of All Black Damian McKenzie and cousin of former Stags player Robbie Robinson, said.

“It’ll be good to be back home and wearing the Southland jersey again.”

Stags coach Dave Hewett said McKenzie would help fill the gap left by the departure of 2018 player of the year James Wilson, who has returned to play in England.

“It’s great to have a player with his experience at Super Rugby level in what is quite a young Stags side. He’ll replace the experience that James Wilson brought last season.”

Rugby Southland general manager Brian Hopley said it was a win to bring McKenzie, who is contracted to the Chiefs for the 2019 season, back home.

“Marty is a talented and sought after five five, so it’s great to have him back in the region for 2019.”