Stags prop switches to Wellington for NPC semifinal
Earlier in the season Morgan Mitchell was dominating the Wellington scrum, but in a unique twist he ended up playing for Wellington on Saturday night.
The Southland Stags were represented in the 2023 NPC playoffs after all - sort of.
In a unique twist, Stags tight-head prop Morgan Mitchell started for Wellington in its semifinal loss to Hawke’s Bay in Wellington on Saturday night.
With the Stags missing out on the playoffs and Wellington down on front-row troops the boys from the capital used the rules to their advantage to draft in the inform Mitchell.
Mitchell joined Wellington in the lead-up to its quarterfinal, although he wasn’t required for that game.
However, Wellington did choose to line him up in Saturday’s semifinal.
The front row is the only position where NPC teams can call in players from outside the province after round five of the competition.
The rule is in place for safety reasons, although Wellington potentially made use of the rule because its scrum has struggled this season.
Given Wellington’s population and playing numbers it is surprising it required to call on Southland to fill the gap.
Although it’s not surprising Mitchell caught the interest of the Wellington decision-makers.
Mitchell was part of a Stags scrum that earlier in the season dominated Wellington.
Rugby Southland director of rugby Matt Saunders said Mitchell’s short stint with Wellington was a chance for him learn from different people.
“It was a good opportunity for him, so we let him go to do that,” Saunders said.
Mitchell is off contract with the Stags although Saunders was hopeful the long-serving Stag will be back for more.
Meanwhile, Taranaki will now host Hawke’s Bay in this weekend’s NPC final in what’s a victory for the provinces outside of the Super Rugby bases.
Saunders voiced his support for what has played out in the 2023 NPC.
“It’s been a great competition, the quality of footy is great. I know there are some issues, but you can’t fault the product.”