The legend continues: Rutledge's 11th title at age 47
“As they say, you get old when you stop doing things, and I would rather keep playing to keep me young.”
Jason Rutledge has just been part of his 11th Southland premier club rugby title after turning in an 80-minute performance in the front row at 47 years old.
Just let that sentence sink in for a bit.
Twenty-five years after Rutledge won his first Galbraith Shield title with Woodlands in 2000, he got his hands on it again for the 11th time on Saturday. On those titles in 2008 he was unable to play in the final because of Stags commitments.
The latest came via a 40-30 victory over Pirates-Old Boys in the 2025 decider at Rugby Park.
Many of his teammates on Saturday weren’t alive when he stepped onto the field for his first senior game for Woodlands in 1999.
It’s a remarkable feat of defying the norm when it comes to those in their 40s.
For some 47-year-olds, the thought of a jog around the block can be daunting, let alone playing 80 minutes in the front row in a premier club rugby final.
“I’m at the gym every morning, I’m probably going to the gym more than I ever was when I was playing for the Stags, so I’m really enjoying staying healthy,” Rutledge told The Tribune.
“As they say, you get old when you stop doing things, and I would rather keep playing to keep me young.”
You would think that after 11 Galbraith Shield titles, the novelty would start to wear off.
Not for Rutledge, though. He rated Saturday’s victory right up there.
“That one there was pretty special. It was a really ground-out sort of win and nerve-wracking because POB had the players and the wind behind them [in the second half],” Rutledge said.
Rutledge had already written himself into Southland rugby folklore many years ago on the back of his 143 caps for the Southland Stags.
The last of those was at the age of 42 in 2020, making him the oldest player to ever play for Southland.
But year after year, the son of fellow Southland rugby centurion Leicester Rutledge continues to add chapter after chapter to his special rugby story.
Just last year, Rutledge was part of a unique occasion when he played in a premier club game of rugby alongside his 18-year-old Gregor, who himself has a bright future ahead of him.
His youngest son, Sabin, who is Year 8 at Southland Boys’ High School, is probably Jason’s No 1 fan.
Sabin is a key figure in the Woodlands setup, running the kicking tee and on hand sending out important messages throughout the game.
It has provided some unique father and son bonding moments that very few fathers and sons will get to experience, as Jason Rutledge continues his rugby journey at 47 years old.
“Young Sabin comes to every training with me, Tuesday and Thursday, so it’s pretty cool.
“Sabin knows everything about rugby; he’s wired up and he’s running the coms and everything. It’s a cool thing,” Rutledge said.
Naturally, Sabin is proud of what his dad has achieved and what he continues to achieve on the rugby field.
“I love it because [Dad] is always by my side and I love coming to training and being around the boys,” Sabin said.
“After the game, we hugged, it was pretty fun [to be part of the win].”
How about Galbraith Shield No 12 in 2026 at 48 years old?
Anything appears to be possible as the legend of Jason Rutledge marches on.
