Rugby wrap: SBHS progress to final, lock states his Stags case, U19s get job done
“Conditions were probably at their worst. That’s life, no one could help that. With the field, by the end of it, I don’t think you could tell you played for each team.”
Lock Woody Kirkwood has highlighted he’s waiting in the wings if needed by the Southland Stags on the back of a couple of strong performances.
The Eastern-Northern Barbarians second-rower impressed in the Southland Development team’s 43-10 victory over Mid Canterbury in Oamaru last week.
He backed that up with another strong showing playing for Southland Country against the Southland Development team at Limehills on Friday night.
Kirkwood was one of six players released from the Southland Development squad to line up for Country.
Southland Development won the game 33-5 in what was far from ideal conditions for running rugby, but Kirkwood impressed through his workrate.
Kirkwood has previously played Heartland rugby for North Otago and was playing in Spain before linking with the Barbarians in Southland club rugby.
He hasn’t been contracted by the Stags but it seems is ready to go if injuries strike.
Southland Development coach Michael McKenzie said Kirkwood was one of the standouts on Friday night at Limehills.
“He was just immense for 80 minutes, and he was the week before for us for the Development team as well. He is a real powerhouse and probably pushing his claims.
“Which is great because lock is probably an area of caution, from the province’s point of view.”
All up 12 Stags squad members were released to play for the Southland Development team on Friday night, although it was hard for any attacking threats to shine.
“Conditions were probably at their worst. That’s life, no one could help that. With the field, by the end of it, I don’t think you could tell you played for each team.” McKenzie said.
“The ball become a bit like a cake of soap…. It’s probably not the advertisement of rugby people were probably striving for. But it was a good willing encounter.”
Despite the conditions Japanese halfback Kaisei Tamura did still highlight his ability to clear the ball quickly.
“The spotlight is always on the nines to play quick rugby and his service was still fantastic given the conditions, which is a credit.”
Stags midfielder Tevita Latu was another to have a strong game, with his game management and presence on the field encouraging.
Stags looseforward Jacob Coghlan also got through plenty of work for Southland Development.
The Southland Development team now turns the sights to its first “test Match” of their campaign.
They will take on the Otago Development team in Dunedin on Saturday in what is expected to be a good test of depth for the province.
Otago does look to have good depth in its NPC squad this year which is also likely to flow into its development programme.
In other representative fixtures at the weekend, the Southland Under-19 team banked a 34-0 win over North Otago Development, and the Southland Hinds women’s team was beaten 45-5 by Canterbury Development.
In school rugby, the Southland Boys’ High School First XV has again progressed to the Otago Secondary Schools final.
SBHS beat Dunedin King’s High School 34-19 in the semifinal played at the Les George Oval at Invercargill’s Oreti Park on Saturday.
SBHS blitzed Kings in the first half going up 29-5 at halftime which effectively setup the win.
They will now meet Otago Boys’ High School in the 2023 decider which is expected to be played at the Les George Oval on Saturday.
The winner of that game will then host Crusaders region winner Christchurch Boys’ High School in the South Island final the following Saturday.
OBHS booked its final spot with a semifinal 52-21 victory over John McGlashan in Dunedin. OBHS raced out to an early 26-0 lead on its way to the big win.
Pretty sure you'll find by checking results that it is Verdon not Menzies/Gore High that are playing the final against SBHS 2nd XV on Saturday