• The Stags face Canterbury on Friday in the first of three games in Roar Week.
  • Ethan de Groot returns for his first Southland game since 2020 at Rugby Park.
  • Key players include Jack Taylor in his 15th game and Angus Simmers making a start.

The Southland Stags are gearing up to face Canterbury at Rugby Park in Invercargill tomorrow night. Co-coaches Matt Saunders and James Wilson have named the squad for the 7.05pm kick-off, marking the first match of Roar Week, during which the team will play three games in just ten days.

After the Canterbury clash, the Stags will take on Manawatu away next Wednesday, followed by a trip to face Auckland the following Sunday.

Notably, Ethan de Groot will return to the Stags' line-up for the first time since 2020. The All Blacks prop's inclusion adds strength to the pack as Southland look to make a statement on home soil. Another highlight is Jack Taylor, who will mark his 15th game for Southland, while Angus Simmers has been named in the starting line-up.

The full Southland Stags squad for tomorrow’s game is as follows:

  1. Ethan de Groot
  2. Jack Taylor*
  3. Morgan Mitchell
  4. Mitch Dunshea
  5. Josh Bekhuis
  6. Sean Withy (c)
  7. Leroy Ferguson
  8. Dylan Nel
  9. Lachie Albert
  10. Byron Smith
  11. Michael Manson
  12. Isaac Te Tamaki
  13. Angus Simmers
  14. Viliami Fine
  15. Rory van Vugt

Reserves:
16. Nic Souchon
17. Jack Sexton
18. Hamdahn Tuipulotu
19. Shneil Singh
20. Blair Ryall
21. Liam Howley
22. Jake Stachan
23. Charlie Powell

*Jack Taylor’s 15th game for the Stags

A few key players are unavailable due to injury, including Connor Collins, Paula Latu, Faletoi Peni, Jay Renton, Matt Whaanga, and Woody Kirkwood, who is out for the season.

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