Spotlight on Southland Sport: Friday Edition
Plenty of sport to delve into in this week's Spotlight on Sport: Friday Edition. Enjoy the read.
Welcome to The Southland Tribune’s Spotlight on Sport: Friday Edition offering. We’ll be back again on Sunday with our “Sunday Special”.
Rutledge: 'It’s going to be a special day'
The Woodlands Rugby Club will celebrate its 125th jubilee this weekend, and there's one particular club legend who has been looking forward to it for a while. Logan Savory catches up with Jason Rutledge. (READ MORE HERE).
Woodlands XV made up of Super Rugby quality players
Woodlands is a small rural settlement 16km out of Invercargill, and the sheer quality of talent that has passed through its rugby club over the years is remarkable. To highlight that, Logan Savory has gone about picking a Woodlands XV made up entirely of players who have played at Super Rugby or national representative level. (READ MORE HERE).
Southland Stags sign experienced first five-eighth
Former Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Dan Hollinshead has signed to play for the Southland Stags during the next two NPC seasons. (READ MORE HERE).
Round 12: Tribune Super Rugby picks panel….
Overall standings: Scott Eade (275 points), Jason Rutledge (238), Matt Saunders (213).
Five points are allocated for each winner picked, and a bonus point if the margin is also correct.
Southern Steel captain wants winning feeling 'so badly'
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel captain Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit is on the hunt.
With just two games remaining in the 2023 ANZ Premiership, the defensive stalwart is desperate to capture the winning feeling which has eluded the Steel so far this season. (READ MORE HERE).
Q&A: 12 years running and still wanting more
At the last national athletic champs in March Southland athletes won seven medals in the U16 grades, three in U18, four in U20, and a solitary one in the senior grades. That solitary senior medal came from Buddy Small in the 3000m steeplechase. We quizzed him on his thoughts and motivations. (READ MORE HERE).
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Curtain to come down on Southland thoroughbred racing season
Thoroughbred racing in Southland finishes for the season at Ascot Park, Invercargill, on Sunday. A good number of horses entered for the Wairio Jockey Club's annual race meeting competed in wintry conditions at Riverton on Wednesday. (READ MORE HERE).
(Out & About)
Southland Sharks v Nelson Giants - tonight, (Friday) 7pm - ILT Stadium Southland
Big night at the Shark Tank tonight as Southland looks to stay in the top half of the competition standings in a congested 2023 National Basketball League.
They’ll take on the Nelson Giants which sits on the bottom of the ladder but are coming off a 117-83 victory over the Taranaki Airs.
Get down to ILT Stadium Southland tonight and cheer on the Sharks.
(Out & About)
Highlanders v Brumbies - 4.35pm, Sunday - Sky Sport
We’ll start with the not-so-good news - Southland’s favourite Highlander Ethan de Groot is having a rest this week so we don’t get to see him in action against the Brumbies.
But there’s still a Southland Stags connection to keep an eye on with Scott Gregory named to start on the wing.
It’s a big game for the Highlanders as they try to remain in touch with a top-eight playoff spot.
In case you missed it…
A little over two years removed from his cancer diagnosis, Alex Pledger is readying himself for what will be a remarkable return to the basketball court, signing on with the Sharks for the second half of the 2023 Sal’s NBL season. (READ MORE HERE).
Get in touch….
If you have something you think is worth featuring in either our Friday or Sunday Spotlight on Sport editions, please get in touch. NOTE: Please provide as much detail as possible to help us collate everything at this end. Email logan@southlandtribune.com