Stags co-captain wins top gong at awards

The Southland Stags didn’t get the results they wanted this year but performances of individual players have been highlighted at the Rugby Southland Supporters’ Club and Stags Awards this week.

Co-captain James Wilson received the top gong – Stags player of the year. He returned this year after seven years playing overseas. A member of the 2011 Ranfurly Shield-winning Stags team, Wilson said being named the top player was an honour. He also picked up the Stag Contribution Award and NZRPA and Speights Personal Development Award.

The impact of women in in Southland rugby was also recognised, with Bree Thomas winning both secondary schoolgirls’ most promising player and player of the year.

Ex-Black Fern Casey Robertson was named the Southlandwide coach of the year after taking the Wyndham men’s team to back-to-back division one titles.

Awards: Players of the year, under-48kg, Brayden Bevin and Jak Moreton; under-65kg, Preston Evans; under-13, Lewis Telfer; under-14, Josh Evans; under-16, Harrison Morton; under-18, Kalani Elder; under-19 (Bruce Robertson Memorial Cup), Kalani Elder; Southland secondary schoolgirls, Bree Thomas; Southland Country, Sheamus McGuigan; Southland B, Pasilio Tosi; PGG Wrightson div 1, Hayden Diack; women’s sevens, Kendall Buckingham; Southland men’s sevens (Bernie McKone Cup): Hayden Edgely.

Most promising: Jonty Carran Memorial Trophy (most promising under-14 player), Ngarimu Paraki; Southland secondary schoolgirls, Bree Thomas.

Most improved Southlandwide: Referee, Jaydyn Watson; team (Bill Foster Trophy), Bluff. Galbraith Shield: Marist. Southland-wide coach of the year (Kennards Hire Trophy): Casey Robertson.

NZRPA and Speights Personal Development Award: James Wilson.

Rugby Southland Supporters’ Club most promising player: Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

Stag contribution award: James Wilson. Best-dressed: James Wilson. Stags rookie of the year: Isaac Te Tamaki.

Stags most improved forward: Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

Stags most improved back: Rory van Vugt.

Stags players’ player: Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

Rugby Southland Supporters’ Club player of the year: Tony Lamborn.

Stags player of the year: James Wilson.