Coaching shakeup: Saunders out, former Irish prop in
“I don’t see myself as having a coaching future, well, it was going to be a long shot. It was a decision I had to make really.”
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Southland Stags co-coach Matt Saunders has resigned a couple of months out from the 2025 NPC season, and Rugby Southland has moved quickly to sort his replacement.
Saunders is returning to the supermarket industry with Foodstuffs.
He had owned the Four Square in Tapanui before Saunders took up a job with Rugby Southland as its director of rugby in 2023. He will now take over the Four Square in Otatara next month.
Saunders had initially hoped to see out the 2025 NPC season with the Stags by juggling both roles.
However, that has not worked out, and he will finish with Rugby Southland on Friday.
Saunders told The Tribune he was disappointed to have to leave his post because he felt there was unfinished business.
But he added that he did not feel he had a long-term future in coaching, and the opportunity to take on the Otatara Four Square provided some job stability for him and his family.
“Rugby is where it is at, and my kids are getting towards their teenage years, so I need to have some stability.
“I don’t see myself as having a coaching future, well, it was going to be a long shot. It was a decision I had to make really.”
The Stags have made some positive strides under Saunders’ watch over the past couple of years.
“We have [made improvements] but haven't finished the job. I was worried about that; the job is not done.
“But it is never finished, and there are great people to take it to where it needs to go, I reckon. We are a dead set chance of being a playoff team this year.”
Saunders’ impact…
Rugby Southland CEO Hua Tamariki said the situation has prompted mixed emotions within the organisation.
“While we’re gutted to see Matt go, he leaves with my full support and that of everyone involved in our Union,” Tamariki said.
“The timing is far from ideal, but the situation was outside of Matt’s control, and we’ve had to act quickly to ensure we maintain continuity and momentum heading into this year's NPC campaign.”
Tamariki paid tribute to Saunders’ impact across multiple roles during his time with Rugby Southland.
“Matt has been a steady and dependable leader. His integrity, honesty, and tireless work ethic have left a lasting impression.
“He reintegrated seamlessly after a long time away from the game and has become a valued figure within our organisation.
“He’s a man of strong values — we hold him in high regard and wish him and Joleen all the very best in their next chapter.”
Rugby Southland chairman Murray Brown also acknowledged Saunders’ dedication to the Union.
“Matt, in his role as Head of Performance for Rugby Southland, has met and often exceeded our expectations.
“He is a deep thinker, committed to the region, with a strong desire to lead and develop people so they can become the best version of themselves through continuous improvement.
“His integrity throughout this swift transition reflects the high calibre of the person he is. He leaves with the Union’s full support and blessing as he moves into the next phase of life with his wife and family,” Brown said.
The coaching changes…
Prior to Saunders’ resignation, Saunders had already lined up former Chiefs and Ireland prop Nathan White as a potential assistant coach option this year.
White was set to replace Kane Thompson as the Stags’ forwards coach, with Thompson having international commitments with Samoa.
White has just returned to New Zealand following a stint coaching at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
With Saunders now departing Rugby Southland, White was last week offered the vacant co-coaching role for the 2025 NPC season, which he accepted.
That deal was signed off on Monday.
White will join James Wilson as a co-coach, while Rugby Southland academy and pathways manager Scott Eade will step in as an assistant coach.
Daryl Thompson will continue in his role as scrum coach, with Marty McKenzie also part of the coaching setup in a skills capacity.
Woodlands coach Richard Jones and Pirates-Old Boys coach Dayna Cunningham will also spend some time in the Stags’ setup this year in a development capacity.
Meet the new Stags co-coach…
Saunders is confident in what Nathan White will bring to the Stags as a co-coach.
“At such a late point, he was such a good option to get it sorted for this season. Mainly so the players know it is going to be a good setup and people they can trust,” Saunders told The Tribune.
“[Nathan White] is a guy I’ve seen work and is a good bugger. The question is, was there anyone [in Southland] that could have done it? Possibly not yet.
“It is a good way to give our younger coaches a wee bit more time.”
Tamariki was pleased to have the experience of White involved.
The 43-year-old had a lengthy professional playing career, which included stints with Waikato and the Chiefs before heading to Ireland in 2011, where he played for Leinster and Connacht.
The prop ended up playing 13 tests for Ireland, which included playing at the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand.
Following White’s playing days, he transitioned into coaching, firstly with Connacht in Ireland, before a stint with Waikato and more lately with Toyota Verblitz under Steve Hansen and Ian Foster.
“Originally from Waikato, Nathan has a deep connection to provincial rugby and will fit seamlessly into our community. His skills and leadership will be a great complement to James and the entire coaching group as we move closer to NPC kick-off,” Tamariki said.
Brown, the Rugby Southland chair, said the inclusion of White reflects Rugby Southland’s commitment to building stronger international relationships.
“Japan has been identified as a key strategic region, and Nathan brings not only a high level of coaching expertise but also valuable connections across the wider rugby and business landscape.
“His involvement will play an important role in supporting and advancing our long-term objectives.”
Scott Eade’s promotion…
Scott Eade has been identified as a coach on the rise and a potential future Stags coach.
Eade is currently Rugby Southland’s Pathways and Academy manager. The initial plan was for him to spend a bit of time in the Stags setup this year to gain some more experince.
He, more than likely, would have then been promoted to a permanent assistant coaching role during the 2026 NPC season.
On the back of Saunders’ departure, that plan has changed. The former Stags first five-eighth will now oversee Southland’s defence during the NPC season.
Tamariki expressed confidence in Eade and his continued rise through the ranks.
“Scotty’s journey through the Union - from various roles within our community team to leading the pathways program - has been impressive,” Tamariki said.
“He’s self-driven, an exceptional planner, and possesses a unique ability to connect with players across all levels. His inclusion in the Stags' coaching group was always a matter of when, not if.”
Brown also commended Eade’s development, particularly with the Highlanders U20s, where Eade was a head coach this year.
“Scotty already has a growing reputation across New Zealand in the high-performance and player pathway space.
“This was highlighted by his recent role as Head Coach of the Highlanders U20 team, which performed exceptionally well at the recent Super U20 tournament.
“His leadership in that campaign earned him significant respect from the wider Highlanders management team. This move is a natural and well-deserved progression in Scott’s coaching development,” Brown said.
2025 SBS Bank Southland Stags NPC Coaching Group
Co-coaches – James Wilson (Attack) & Nathan White (Breakdown & Lineouts)
Assistant Coach – Scott Eade (Defence)
Set-piece Coach – Daryl Thompson (Scrum)
Skills Coach – Marty McKenzie
2025 NPC Campaign – Pathway Development Observers
Richard Jones – Woodlands
Dayna Cunningham – Pirates Old Boys