Six new caps are among the 2020 SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags squad announced this morning.

Head coach Dale MacLeod said he was pleased with how the players had regrouped, following a process that began when he took the reins in early 2020.

“The individuals in the squad have been named because of their work ethic and performance over the club season. It is also a great step in the right direction with an increase in the number of Super Rugby level players which will lift the performance of our boys aiming for higher honours themselves. We are once again proud to have one of the strongest local representations in the Mitre 10 Cup and we can’t wait for Southland supporters to get in behind us this season.”

MacLeod has four backs and two loose forwards training with the squad over the next two weeks battling for the final two/three spots in the squad. 

The countdown is now on to the first game of the season against Hawkes Bay, Sunday September 13th, 4.35pm at Invercargill's Rugby Park.

Tickets are on sale now at ILT Stadium Southland or at Ticketek.

2020 SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags

Ethan de Groot – Invercargill Blues/Highlanders

Siate Tokolahi*- Highlanders

Joseph Walsh- Woodlands

Chris Apoua- Star

Lio Tosi- Marist

Shaun Stodart- Marist

Niko Manaena*- Petone

Greg Pleasants-Tate - Star

Talemaitoga Tuapati – Pirates Old Boys

Flynn Thomas - Marist

Michael McKee – ENC Barbarians

Manaaki Selby-Rickit – Star/Highlanders

Craig Smith – Pirates Old Boys

Raymond Tatafu – Invercargill Blues

Tony Lamborn (Captain) – Havelock North/Blues

Matthew James- Woodlands

Charles Alaimalo - Woodlands

Arese Poliko* - Invercargill Blues

Glenn Preston* - Silverdale

Logan Crowley – Coastal

Raniera Takarangi* - Marist

Liam Howley - Woodlands

Scott Eade (vice captain) - Marist

Greg Dyer – Pirates Old Boys

Ray Nu’u - Woodlands

Isaac Te Tamaki – Pirates Old Boys

Joshua Moorby - Woodlands

Amanaki Nicole* - NZ Sevens

Rory van Vugt – ENC Barbarians

*New Southland Cap

Wider Training Group

Jacob Payne – Invercargill Blues, Kane Prentice- Te Anau, Brenton Howden- ENC Barbarians, Jacob Coghlan ENC Barbarians, Cole Blyde- Woodlands, Nathan Va’atasusili – Woodlands, Jordan Stewart – Star, Matt McKenzie – Woodlands, Ueta Tufuga – Marist, Brad Armstrong – Star, Jaye Thompson – Pirates Old Boys, Tevita Latu – Marist, Kieran Lee – Woodlands, Brad Kooman – Invercargill Blues, Alex Thrupp – Star, Keanu Kahukura – Marist.

Unavailable for selection due to injury

Ben Fotheringham- Marist, Ben Paulin – Invercargill Blues, Jay Renton – Invercargill Blues, Bram Fodie – Edendale, Javaan Fa’amoe-Ioane – Marist.