Rugby Southland is proud to announce the 2022 SBS Bank Southland Stags Squad to compete in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.
The 37 strong squad includes seventeen players who attended secondary school in Southland, as well as over 30 players who have come out of the local club competition.
With the majority of the squad returning from last season, it’s a key goal of Rugby Southland to develop consistency and depth in the squad.
New SBS Bank Southland Stags for 2022 include Jack Taylor, Michael Manson and Scott Gregory, with Development Players Levi Emery and Quinn Harrison-Jones in the mix also.
Notable returns include Morgan Mitchell, Josh Bekhuis and Robbie Robinson, with a combined 236 caps.
Mike McKee and Liam Udy-Johns were not considered due to injury, and Greg Pleasants-Tate has been ruled out due to injury in the late stages of club rugby. Southland born and Star RFC player Sam Stewart has returned to join the hookers.
Levi Emery, Kieran Lee and Quinn Harrison-Jones are development players following strong Southland club seasons.
SBS Bank Southland Stags public tickets and memberships go on sale this Friday, with adults starting from just $15 and two kids aged 12 and under free with general admission adults.
Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketek or at ILT Stadium Southland.
Squad Highlights:
- Returning players who have played for Southland: 32
- Players with a potential debut: 5
- Attended Southland Secondary Schools: 17
- NZ U20’s 2022: 1
- Super Rugby 2022: 7
- All Blacks: 1
- Development Players: 3
SBS Bank Southland Stags Squad
- Charles Alaimalo – Woodlands
- Solomon Alaimalo – Woodlands
- Caleb Aperahama – Woodlands
- Marty Banks – Highlanders
- Josh Bekhuis – Star
- Jacob Coghlan – ENC Barbarians
- Ethan de Groot – Invercargill Blues
- Greg Dyer – Pirates-Old Boys
- Scott Gregory – Highlanders
- Matt James – Woodlands
- Grayson Knapp – Star
- Paula Latu – Woodlands
- Tevita Latu – Marist
- Niko Manaena – Star
- Michael Manson – Invercargill Blues
- Hayden Michaels – Invercargill Blues
- Morgan Mitchell – Star
- Ben Morris – Pirates-Old Boys
- Jacob Payne – Invercargill Blues
- Greg Pleasants-Tate – Star
- Arese Poliko – Invercargill Blues
- Jay Renton – Invercargill Blues
- Joe Robins – Midlands
- Robbie Robinson – Woodlands
- Shaun Stodart – Marist
- Sam Stewart – Star
- Jack Taylor – Southern
- Isaac Te Tamaki – Pirates-Old Boys
- Flynn Thomas – Marist
- Willie Tufui – Star
- Rory van Vugt – Woodlands
- Jahvis Wallace – ENC Barbarians
- Joe Walsh – Woodlands
- Matt Whaanga – Woodlands
- Development Players
- Levi Emery – ENC Barbarians
- Quinn Harrison-Jones – Marist
- Kieran Lee – Woodlands