The man with Southland rugby's future at his fingertips

“We had a young lad come down last week with his dad and we showed him around the mall and [Stadium Southland] and to be fair the guys that have come down have been impressed.”

Rugby Southland academy manager Scott Eade.

Scott Eade is no stranger within Southland rugby circles.

After all, he played 72 games for the Stags from 2011 to 2020. Prior to that he represented New Zealand at under-20 level and picked up a Super Rugby cap with the Highlanders.

He’s also played a lead role in all of Marist's success during the past decade or so.

But all of that is not where he will probably end up having the biggest impact on Southland rugby.