Rugby Southland empowering future Stags

In 2021 a big focus of Rugby Southland is developing and providing a pathway for our teenage talent.

On Wednesday, the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags High Performance staff invited 55 of the top High School Players to participate in the ‘Muster’ which is being held over three days in March.

The Muster Programme was introduced in 2020 by head coach Dale MacLeod, with the aim of providing a clear pathway for players who aspire to reach greater heights in their Rugby careers.

Day One of the Muster was held on Wednesday the 3rd of March at the ILT Stadium. The Players attended seminars which included the Southland Rugby Pathway, Southland Stags Standards, Strength & Conditioning and how to deal with modern pressures of sport. The enthusiastic group then headed out and completed a 90 minute training session. This session included a 30-minute position specific session followed by five different skill blocks. This training session involved our High Performance and Academy Players who helped run and participate in the drills with the Muster boys as well.

The players will now attend Day Two Tomorrow (Saturday). This will be a Strength & Conditioning based session where the Players will be tested in Speed, Power, Fitness and Strength. The Players will then return on the 26th of March for our final session to de brief and go over the learnings.

Schools represented in 2021 are Menzies College, St Peters College, Gore High School, Central Southland College, James Hargest College, Verdon College and Southland Boys High.

Students Invited

Aaron Withy

Abdullah Fisher

Aidan Harrington

Alex Keen

Billy Andrew

Caleb Williams

Colby Gilder

Dominic Richardson

Drey Fonoti

Eden Roberston

Ethan Brock

Flynn Tuffin

Fraser Wilson

Garoth Van Der Straaten

George Smith

Harm Davers

Harrison Milne

Hayden Graves

Heamani Taufa

Hunter Areaiiti-Burgess 

Hunter Fahy

Isaiah Bragg

Jack Churstain

Jack Taylor

Jackson Bevin

Jacob Mika

Jahn Stodart

Jakobe Paraki

Jerome Buckley-fa'atoia

Joshua Evans

Kaea Nikora-Balloch

Kalapoli Taufa

Keflar Morrison

Kyrie Romero

Liam McIntosh

Max Bryson

McKenzie Hunter

Michael Gillies

Ngarimu Paraki

Preston Evans

Reid Murray

Richie Kuresa

Rico Fisher

Riley Hika

Rico Muliaina

Ryan Smith

Ryley Macrae

Sam Cavanagh

Samer Coupe

Stirling McKelvie

Taylor Peterson

Tom Addie

Tom Nicholson

Zac Egerton

Zyon Taylor