Teenager gets start for Stags
Teenage hooker Jack Taylor will get to pull on the Southland Stags jersey for the first time today when the Stags take on Otago in a preseason hit-out.
The 19-year-old, in his first year out of Southland Boys’ High School, has been named to start in the No 2 jersey in the game to be played at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
He will pack down alongside Highlanders loosehead prop Ethan De Groot in the front.
Taylor impressed playing for the Highlanders under-20 team this year and was close to making the New Zealand under-20 team.
Southland was dealt a blow during the club season when experienced hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate broke his ankle ruling him out of the NPC season.
Flynn Thomas will also miss today’s preseason showdown against Otago as he recovers from a head knock.
Stags coach James Wilson said he was comfortable lining Taylor up against a strong Otago side. Wilson was encouraged by the teenager’s performance playing for Southern in the Otago club final in Dunedin on Saturday.
‘‘We’ve paired him with Ethan [de Groot] and his experience in that front row,’’ Wilson said.
‘‘He is very keen to get out there and pull on the Southland jumper, and to be fair he’s been training the house down.
‘‘He’s loving the experience and loving the environment and has shown some really good stuff. He’s a strong boy and is raring to go.’’
Other players that will miss today’s game with niggles include Morgan Mitchell, Greg Dyer and Solomon Alaimalo.
Highlanders midfielder Scott Gregory joined the team on Wednesday and could have played today but the Stags management has opted to manage his workload, given he had such a big Super campaign and will be a key figure for Southland in the NPC season proper.
Wilson has led the off-season programme, as well the buildup to the first preseason today, before Dale MacLeod returns to take on the head coaching duties next week.
MacLeod was with the Moana Pasifika team during the Super season and more recently an assistant coach with Tonga.
Wilson said he was thrilled with where Southland was at this year given they have had a large group of players working together during the off-season, as well as a large contingent of players returning from last year.
‘‘I’m stoked with how things are progressing,’’ Wilson said.
‘‘If you want to compare how things were last year compared to where we are now, it’s a whole different world. That first week, week and a half last year was just about getting to know people’s names. Now from day one boys are coming in and chatting – everyone knows each other.
‘‘We were picking up guys in Dunedin [last year] to go play for us in that first preseason game.
‘‘We are miles ahead now, so I’m just excited to see how they go tomorrow.’’
Wilson wants to see that connection within the group transfer to the field on game day.
He was keen to also have a look at some players playing at the next level.
‘‘I don’t really like saying it, but a lot of guys have club habits that you just can’t have at that NPC level. Hopefully we’ve ironed that out.’’
This week there has been a lot of detail to deliver to the players in preparation for the first hitout, Wilson said.
Both teams will carry extended benches, giving as many players as possible the opportunity for some game time heading into the NPC competition.
Otago has named a strong team with plenty of Southland connections. Included is former Southland Boys’ High School first XV captain Sean Withy, who will captain Otago alongside fullback Sam Gilbert.
Gore lad Cameron Millar will start for Otago at first five-eighth, with another Gore product, Finn Hurley, on the bench. Another promising Southlander, Will Stodart, is also in the reserves, as is former Stag Raymond Nu’u.
Today’s preseason showdown will kick off at 2.05pm.
The Stags will play their first NPC competition against Tasman on Sunday, August 7.