Team naming: Marty Banks returns as part of Stags overhaul
The Stags are in the middle of what is traditionally known as the “storm week” where teams play three games in eight days. Although they've renamed it "roar week".
As expected, the Southland Stags team has been given a significant overhaul for its showdown with Bay of Plenty at Rugby Park in Invercargill on Wednesday night.
The Stags are in the middle of what is traditionally known as the “storm week” where teams play three games in eight days.
Although the Stags camp has renamed it “roar week” as they take on the tough schedule head-on in an attempt to finish their 2023 campaign on a high note.
Southland has made eight changes to the starting 15 which lost to Hawke’s Bay on Saturday in a disappointing outing.
It includes the return of first five-eighth Marty Banks who has been battling a long-term groin injury.
Jay Renton also returns to start at halfback, while another change to the backline is the return of Matt Whaanga from injury to start a second five-eighth.
Upfront both starting props have been changed with new arrival Jack Sexton to wear the No 1 jersey and Quinn Harrison-Jones coming in to start at tight-head prop.
Mike McKee gets a rest and has been replaced at lock by Danny Drake, while Jacob Coghlan gets his first start of the season at No 8.
Shneil Singh will start on the blindside flank.
The Stags will get little rest after the showdown with Bay of Plenty given it will head to Palmerston North to take on Manawatu on Sunday.
SBS Bank Southland Stags
1.Jack Sexton
2.Jack Taylor
3.Quinn Harrison- Jones
4.Danny Drake
5.Josh Bekhuis ©
6.Shneil Singh
7.Hayden Michaels
8.Jacob Coghlan
9.Jay Renton
10.Marty Banks
11.Gabriel Hamer-Webb
12.Matt Whaanga
13.Scott Gregory
14.Viliami Fine
15.Rory Va Vugt (vc)
16.Nic Souchon
17.Hunter Fahey
18.Morgan Mitchell
19.Blair Ryall
20.Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
21.Jahvis Wallace (blazer game) 15th
22.Dan Hollinshead
23.Tevita Latu