Rugby Southland

Southland Stags

File:Logo Southland Rugby Union.svg
Nickname(s)	Stags
Founded	1887
Region	Southland
Ground(s)	Rugby Park Stadium (Capacity: 19,500)
Coach(es)	Simon Culhane and David Henderson
Captain(s)	Jamie Mackintosh
League(s)	ITM Cup
2010	4th (8-0-3)

The Southland Rugby Football Union is a provincial rugby union who govern the Southland Region founded in 1886. The headquarters of Southland Rugby are in Invercargill, New Zealand however the Southland Union also covers country teams such as Midlands of Winton and Excelsior Rugby Club of Gore.

The unions home ground Rugby Park Stadium (formerly known as Homestead Stadium) is the home of the Southland senior mens team affectionately known as the Southland Stags. The Stags and most other Southland Representative teams wear a Canterbury of New Zealand predominately maroon jersey with gold and white, white shorts with two maroon stripes and maroon socks with a singular gold stripe. However some Southland team jerseys also feature a blue stripe similar to that worn by the senior team in the early 2000s.

Southland are renowned for producing many quality players despite the population of the province. They also were the first South Island province to claim the coveted Ranfurly Shield trophy after defeating Wellington 17-6 in 1920. Since then Southland have held the shield a number of times most recently claiming it after a 51 year drought defeating Canterbury 9-3 at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. After capturing the shield, Southland lost it back to Canterbury the following year., Southland reclaimed the shield from Canterbury in Christchurch on 23 July 2011. The final score was 22-19 to Southland.

History

1886-99: Early Years

In 1886 the Southland Rugby Football Union was founded. They played their first game against Otago, losing in a close affair. The Southland region already had strong club rugby teams with Invercargill competing in the Dunedin based competition. The Invercargill club had already produced two All Blacks outside back, Henry Braddon and wing forward, James O'Donnell in 1885 however these two players are recognised as Otago All Blacks as they played their rugby for neighbouring province.

It was not until 1896 when Southland hooker, Nisbet McRobie was selected in the New Zealand team to play Queensland. The side won 9-nil and it was McRobie's only game in the 'black jersey', however he occupies a special place in Southland Rugby history as the provinces first of many All Blacks.

2006-09: Air New Zealand Cup Era

In the first year of Air New Zealand Cup after an up and down season winning only games against Hawke's Bay and Northland, the Stags did not make the original top 6 but went in to a repechage pool. After two easy repechage wins against Tasman and Taranaki, the Stags played the Taniwha and with seconds to go the Stags were behind by seven when the Northland team were awarded a penalty and made the decision to kick the ball out to end the game. They were not aware due to the bonus point for losing by seven or less that the Southland team would win the pool.

They therefore advanced to the quarter finals, but were beaten by eventual winners Waikato 24-12. They ended the season with Wing Watisoni Lotawa as the Stags leading try scorer with three and First five-eighth Blair Stewart as the teams top point scorer and the competitions third top with 83. The Stags form was rewarded with Halfback Jimmy Cowan retaining his place and long serving Prop Clarke Dermody making his debut for the All Blacks.

After the NZRU reviewed the Air New Zealand Cup, the repechage format was dropped. After early losses to Hawke's Bay and Waikato the Stags bounced back with a victory against Taranaki. They could not maintain their form from the week before losing to Auckland at Rugby Park. The Stags then won five games in a row including beating Otago at Carisbrook for the first time in since 1977.

After finishing sixth with a six win, four loss record, Southland were taught a lesson in the quarter final losing to Wellington 45-3. The end of the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup also marked the end of many players Southland careers, most notably internationals Clarke Dermody, Hale T-Pole and Kane Thompson.

Full of confidence in 2008 the Stags began their season against arch rivals Otago. Leading by one with time up Flanker Dion Bates attempted to kick the ball out to win the game, but the ball came of the side of Bates' boot and an offside player caught the ball giving Otago First-five Chris Noakes kicked the winning penalty from over 40 metres out.

After the early disappointment the Stags won two away games before heading back to Rugby Park where they lost to Wellington and convincingly beat the Counties Manukau Steelers by 23 points.

The Stags then traveled to Eden Park to challenge Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield. After ill-discipline cost the Stags six points and a try, the boot of Blair Stewart kept Southland in the game. They received many opportunities with Centre Kendrick Lynn causing problems for the Blue and Whites, but in the end ball retention cost the Stags with a final minute opportunity created by Robbie Robinson resulting in Auckland turning over the ball and kicking the ball out to end the game.

They rebounded from the disappointment by giving North Harbour a hiding and narrowly beating the Tasman Makos. Losses to Bay of Plenty and Canterbury disappointingly end what was a highly successful year for Southland.

The Stags qualified 5th for the quarter finals and travelled to Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui to play Bay of Plenty. They ended up winning the game by 34 points, qualifying for their first ever semi final since the introduction of structured competition in 1976. In the semi final the stags were beaten once again after putting up a fight against Wellington 28-19.

As well as being a successful year for the Stags as a team it also was a great year for first five eighth Blair Stewart who was the competitions top point scorer with 105 points, his form also helped him gain a contract in France and halfback Jimmy Cowan regained selection into the All Blacks and became a regular starter. The Stags also received colossal support with an average crowd of 7,500 at Rugby Park Stadium.

Southland's 2009 Air New Zealand Cup is their best since the introduction of structured a provincial rugby competition in 1976.

The Stags got off to a flying start beating Waikato for the first time since 2003, 16-6. They continued their top form into the next week beating Otago at Carisbrook, 29-19. This was the teams 232nd meeting, the most between provinces in New Zealand rugby history.

They lost the next game to the Manawatu Turbos at Rugby Park Stadium. The team reversed their home fortunes in their next game beating Hawkes Bay, 18-9.

At North Harbour Stadium the next week Southland won against North Harbour for the first time away from home. Then the Stags experienced a slight hiccup, drawing with Northland. The next week they beat the Bay of Plenty Steamers at home 19-12 in a top of the table clash. They then started a downhill slide losing to Wellington and then to Auckland.

The two losses made the Stags next game a must win and they delivered against Tasman. Southland won 41-nil with Glen Horton scoring a hat-trick of tries. They followed-up the next game to beat Taranaki 29-13. The next week was labelled as one of the greatest weeks in Southland Rugby. On Thursday 22 October 2009 the Stags challenged Canterbury at AMI Stadium, Christchurch for the Ranfurly Shield. In front of the crowd of 10,500 of which most were Southlanders Robbie Robinson kicked three penalty goals to compliment a sound defensive display that was enough to win the Log of wood of the Cantabs and secure a spot in the semi-finals. The week the Stags were treated to a massive street parade around Invercargill. Nearly 20,000 fans turned up completing a great week which saw Southland win the Log of wood for the first time since 1959. Southland were knocked out of the Air New Zealand Cup the following week in the semifinal against Wellington, losing 34-21.

Club Rugby

Southland has a four tier club rugby competition, the teams are:

Balfour Blues Bluff Central Pirates Collegiate Drummond Drummond Limehills Star (DLS) Edendale Excelsior Limehills Star Lumsden Marist Mataura Midlands Mossburn Pirates Ohai-Nightcaps

Otautau Pioneer Pirates-Old Boys Pukerau Riversdale Riverton Star Te Anau Tokanui Waiau Star Waikaka Waikaka White Star Waikiwi Wrights Bush Woodlands Wyndham

2011 Stags

• Jimmy Cowan and James Paterson are unavailable due to Tri Nations and 2011 Rugby World Cup commitments.
• Joe Tuineau has been signed to a short term contract before he also leaves to represent Tonga at RWC 2011.
• Alex Taylor and Mark Wells both suffered season ending injuries against Waikato in Round 1.
• Tony Koonwaiyou replaced Wells in the squad.

2011 Super Rugby Representatives

Southland are one of three regions to make up the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise, the other two are Otago and North Otago. In 2011 Southland will have their highest ever amount of Super Rugby players since the competition was established. Southland captain Jamie Mackintosh will take over the captaincy of the Highlanders from Jimmy Cowan.

• Josh Bekhuis - (Highlanders)
• Jimmy Cowan - (Highlanders)
• Elliot Dixon - (Highlanders)
• John Hardie - (Highlanders)
• Chris King - (Highlanders)
• Kendrick Lynn - (Highlanders)
• Jamie Mackintosh - (Highlanders)
• Brayden Mitchell - (Highlanders)
• James Paterson - (Highlanders)
• Robbie Robinson - (Highlanders)
• Matt Saunders - (Highlanders)
• Jason Rutledge - (Highlanders)
• Joe Tuineau - (Highlanders)
• David Hall - (Crusaders)
• Nick Barrett - (Crusaders)

Former Super Rugby Players

• David Hall - (Highlanders)
• Glen Horton - (Highlanders)
• Matt Saunders - (Highlanders)
• Tony Koonwaiyou - (Blues & Crusaders)

Internationally Capped Players

• Jimmy Cowan
• Jamie Mackintosh
• Joe Tuineau

Junior Internationals

• Under 19's 2007 - John Hardie
• Under 20's 2009 - Elliott Dixon
• Under 20's 2009 - Brayden Mitchell
• Under 20's 2009 - Robbie Robinson
• Under 20's 2009 - Alex Ryan

In for 2011

• Tim Cornforth
• Scott Eade (from Southland Boys' High School)
• Michael Fatialofa (from Mount Albert Grammar School)
• James Lew (from Melbourne Rebels (ARC))
• Marty McKenzie (from Christ's College)

Out for 2011

• Dion Bates (Failed to gain contract)
• Seminar Manu (to Wellington club rugby)
• Hua Tamariki (indefinite break from rugby)
• Kane Thompson (to Hawke's Bay)
• Pehi Te Whare (to Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk)

Notable former players

Edward J Kavanagh Adedayo Adebayo Pita Alatini Graeme Bond Lex Chisholm Eion Crossan Simon Culhane Clarke Dermody Gus Dermody Mal Dermody Pailate Fili Corey Flynn Simon Forrest

Davin Heaps Ben Herring David Henderson Paul Henderson Norm Hewitt David Gannon Les George David Hill Damian Hopley Steve Jackson George Konia Kevin Laidlaw

Justin Marshall Brett McCormack Ash McGregor Brian McKechnie Harold Miller Paul Miller Wayne Miller Bobby Murrell Roger Newell Frank Oliver Steven Pokere Peter Ryan

Leicester Rutledge Charlie Saxton Mark Seymour Brent Shepherd Billy Stead Ken Stewart Ack Soper Hale T-Pole Mark Tinnock Kel Tremain Des Tuiavi'i Earl Va'a

To'o Vaega Geoff Valli Jeff Wilson

Provincial Rugby Placings

Competition	Placing
1982 NPC South Island Second Division	Champions
1984 NPC South Island Second Division	Champions
1989 NPC Second Division	Champions
1994 NPC Second Division	Champions
1996 NPC Second Division	Champions
2006 Air New Zealand Cup	8th Place
2007 Air New Zealand Cup	6th Place
2008 Air New Zealand Cup	4th Place
2009 Air New Zealand Cup	3rd Place
2010 ITM Cup	7th Place

External links

• Official site
• Southland rugby (NZHistory.net.nz)