The SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags have announced their squad this morning in Invercargill ahead of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season.

The squad of 35 players includes 26 players from Southland, which Stags coach Dave Hewett said is one of the most local sides in the entire competition.

He said other players such as Marty McKenzie and Mike McKee who have returned to their home province after a few years away can be claimed as locals as well.

“We are excited about the squad, they are gelling very well and the new players in the squad are going to bring their own individual strengths to the Southland Jersey.”

Star Highlanders number eight Elliot Dixon was announced as part of the squad, however Hewett said with Dixon being contracted to club rugby in Japan it would remain to be seen just how much of a role he would play throughout the season.

A captain for the side has yet to be named, with the decision to be made before the first game of the season against Northland on August 8 at Rugby Park in Invercargill.

2019 SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags Squad:

Props

Joe Walsh - Woodlands

Ethan De Groot - Invercargill Blues

Chris Apoua - Star

Shaun Stodart - Marist

Morgan Mitchell - Toronto Arrows

Hookers

Flynn Thomas - Marist

Brayden Mitchell - Star

Greg Pleasants-Tate - Star 

Locks

Manaaki Selby-Rickit - Star

Ben Fotheringham - Marist

Ray Tatafu - Invercargill Blues

Mike McKee - Asia Pacific Dragons

Loose Forwards

Ben Paulin - Invercargill Blues

Taine Te Whata - Invercargill Blues

Charles Alaimalo - Woodlands

Matt James - Woodlands

Phil Halder - Marist

Number 8’s

Bill Fukofuka - Invercargill Blues

Pasilio Tosi - Marist

Elliot Dixon - Highlanders

Halfbacks

Jay Renton - Invercargill Blues

Nico Costa - Woodlands

Logan Crowley - Taranaki 

1st Five Eights’

Mitchell Taylor - Invercargill Blues

Scott Eade - Marist

Marty McKenzie - Chiefs

Midfield

Ray Nu’u - Green Island

Javaan Fa’amoe- Ioane - Marist

Seb Wileman - Queensland Reds

Moses Faletolu - Woodlands

Outside backs

Lewis Ormond - Woodlands

Issac Te Tamaki - Pirates Old Boys

Rory Van Vugt - ENC Barbarians

Josh Moorby - Woodlands

Lausii Taliauli - Brumbies

Captain: TBC

Vice Captain: TBC

Head Coach: Dave Hewett

Assistant Coach (Attack): Jason Kawau

Assistant Coach (Defence): Dale MacLeod