MORE TRIES NEEDED
Southland has regained pride and now comes the next step, to reach the Championship semifinals for the first time since 2014, writes Campbell Burnes.
The stags made great strides last season but still fell eight points short of the semifinals. That was because they averaged just 14 points a game and, while their defence was the best in the competition, they know they must score more tries to close out the tight games.
In 2020, there were five of those losses by eight points or less. They did, however, record a famous crossover victory over north Harbour and downed ranfurly shield holder Hawke’s bay. Only eventual Premiership champion Tasman put the cleaners through southland.
Head coach Dale Macleod is acutely aware of this, so hopefully former stag James wilson, fresh from playing in Japan, can help with this area as the new assistant coach. David Hall remains on the coaching staff.
‘There are few who doubt the character of this group, but it’s a question of how they cope with injuries and how deep they can go into the club rugby ranks.’
“We were really disappointed with how we finished the last few games of the season, but it was a season of ‘just about’. Defence shows the character of the group and we went from the worst defensive side to the best defensive side,” says Macleod.
There are few who doubt the character of this group, but it’s a question of how they cope with injuries and how deep they can go into the club rugby ranks before lack of experience starts to tell.
Happily, they have made several good mid-tier signings that should bolster the squad, though Macleod was dealing with several injuries last month.
The back three is an interesting area. The signing of solomon Alaimalo after his injury tribulations at the Highlanders will bring instant X-factor. Macleod knows Alaimalo well and says he can slot in at either wing or fullback, like most others in the outside backs. Josh Moorby is another who can fulfil dual roles. Wing rory van Vugt may be slightly late joining the squad after doing MIQ following a stint in the usa’s MLR. Amanaki nicole will join the squad after the Tokyo Olympics and the mandatory stint in MIQ. solofa silipa
from Auckland will also contest one of the wing spots.
Isaac Te Tamaki will likely be the centre, and Macleod feels he would not look out of place in Super Rugby. His midfield partner could be Matt whaanga, who comes from Otago. going the other way is ray nu’u.
The no 10 options are varied. Local greg Dyer is signed, scott eade has joined the coaching ranks and Marty Mckenzie, though still returning from injury, is back in harness after being unavailable in 2020.
“Last year he was probably showing the effects of being in a professional environment since the day he left school. He just needed to freshen up,” says Macleod.
Then there’s Marty banks, who goes a long way back with Macleod. He is not coming to make up the numbers, so if he can kick his goals and get the backline humming, then he will have been well worth the investment.
At halfback, Logan Crowley, who was on loan from Taranaki, has stayed in his home province, but 2020 Chiefs no 9 Lisati Milo-harris was surprisingly not signed by Taranaki, so he has come to the deep south to join Josh renton, fresh from Italy, and Liam Howley. They are all good options.
Loosie Tony Lamborn, who led the side so well in 2020, is back as captain, though was going to be slow out of the blocks after rehabbing an ankle injury. Matty James will be the preferred openside, while the physical Charlie Alaimalo and sione Misiloi will contest the no 6 jersey.
while the losses of Manaaki selbyrickit and ray Tatafu will hurt the locking stocks, there is the reliable Mike Mckee, and ben Fotheringham (back from injury) and Joel everson (back from France) bring a wealth of experience. Caleb Aperahama from Canterbury is another option.
The hooking role will be filled by the returning Flynn Thomas, greg Pleasants-tate – who knows his way to the tryline – and Taleimatoga Tuapati. Jason rutledge, 43 years young, and fresh off a ninth Galbraith Shield, will not be called upon unless there is another crisis at hooker.
Chris Apoua and brumby Tom ross will cover tighthead prop, though siate Tokolahi’s departure to France is a blow. There was a bonus when ethan de groot was omitted from the All blacks’ rugby Championship squad, despite making a good fist of his first moments as an All black. He and Joe walsh, who has super rugby experience, will have the loosehead side covered.
Macleod has that balancing act of promoting local and/or using loan players – Southland used five loaners in 2020 – but he has not been overly impressed with the standard of club rugby, at least until the business end of the season last month.
“Our public want us to win, but I won’t give the jersey to someone who doesn’t deserve it,” he declares.
The stags mean business, so anything less than the semifinals would be a major disappointment for them. scoring more tries will be a start towards that goal.