Southland Stags

Full name	Rugby Southland
Nickname(s)	Stags
Founded	1887
Union	NZRU
Ground(s)	Rugby Park Stadium
Capacity	17000
CEO	Roger Clark
Coach	Simon Culhane and David Henderson
League	2008
Team kit

The Southland Rugby Football Union was founded in 1887 and celebrated its centenary in 1987. There have been notable Ranfurly Shield reigns, particularly throughout the 40's and 50's. And although the last reign ended in 1959, there has been a number of close challenges in recent times, including a heartbreaking 34-32 loss to Auckland at Eden Park in 1997.

Air New Zealand Cup

The Southland Stags rugby team represents the Southland province in the Air New Zealand Cup, also known as the Premier Division of the National Provincial Championship. Throughout its history, the team has been able to consistently compete against larger international teams, including France, Fiji and the British and Irish Lions.

Southland in Super Rugby

Southland are the third team to make up the Highlanders Super 14 franchise, the other two are Otago and North Otago.

Its current Super 14 representatives all play for the Highlanders, they include:

• James Wilson
• Jimmy Cowan
• Jamie Mackintosh
• Tim Boys
• David Hall
• Chris King
• Hoani MacDonald
• Blair Stewart
• Matt Saunders
• Josh Bekhuis - as a member of the backup training squad

Furthermore, the Southland Stags have more past Super Rugby Representatives including:

• Tony Koonwaiyou - Past Crusaders and Blues rep
• Jason Rutledge - Past Highlanders rep
• Willie Rickards - Past Highlanders rep
• Jason Kawau - Past Highlanders rep
• Pehi Te Whare - Past Highlanders rep

Notable players

• Adedayo Adebayo
• Pita Alatini
• Graeme Bond
• Lex Chisholm
• Jimmy Cowan
• 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 Hill
• Damian Hopley
• Steve Jackson
• George Konia
• Kevin Laidlaw
• Jamie Mackintosh
• 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
• Kane Thompson
• Mark Tinnock
• Kel Tremain
• Des Tuiavi'i
• Earl Va'a
• To'o Vaega
• Geoff Valli
• Jeff Wilson

Current Squad

Current Southland Stags Contracted Players:

2008 Air New Zealand Cup Draw

• Sat 2 Aug - Southland 23 vs Otago 25 - Rugby Park Stadium - 4PM

• Fri 8 Aug - Manawatu 5 vs Southland 18 - FMG Stadium

• Sat 16 Aug - Hawkes Bay 16 vs Southland 20 - McLean Park

• Fri 22 Aug - Southland 7 vs Wellington 26 - Rugby Park Stadium

• Thu 28 Aug - Southland 31 vs Counties Manukau 8 - Rugby Park Stadium

• Sat 6 Sept - Auckland vs Southland (RS) - Eden Park

• Sat 13 Sept - Southland vs North Harbour - Rugby Park Stadium

• Fri 19 Sept - Tasman vs Southland - Lansdowne Park

• Thu 25 Sept - Bay of Plenty vs Southland - Rotorua International Stadium

• Fri 3 Oct - Southland vs Canterbury - Rugby Park Stadium

Current All Blacks

• Jimmy Cowan

(Also Seven New Zealand Colt players and two New Zealand Under 19 Players. Two New Zealand Maori Players and one New Zealand Sevens player, throughout Southland region).

International Results

(Countries in bold)

Player List

External links

• Official site

Index Of Related Pages

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