The Southland Tribune; Edition #271
Jacob Bloomfield: From Splash Palace to the Civic Theatre | de Groot: 'Invercargill, that would be a real dream come true' | The Roar Podcast: Episode 15 - Ft. Callum McRae
de Groot: 'Invercargill, that would be a real dream come true'
Out & About… Stags season launch
Jacob Blomfield: From Splash Palace to the Civic Theatre
“I’m stoked. The last time I was on the Civic stage would have been doing something like the Big Sing with James Hargest in Year 7 or 8. That was way before I’d taken a head first dive into the theatre. It’s really cool to come back to that, and Invercargill is so supportive of these shows.” (READ MORE HERE).
de Groot: 'Invercargill, that would be a real dream come true'
Ethan de Groot is a pretty excited man at the moment, even if he does a pretty good job of hiding it. The Southlander will start at loosehead prop in the All Blacks’ opening test of the 2024 season against England on Saturday night. (READ MORE HERE).
The Roar Podcast: Episode 15 - Ft. Callum McRae
After another “bye week” (host Nick Jeffrey was soaking up Origin 2 at the MCG) The Roar Podcast is back. In episode 15 the lads preview the club rugby semifinals, contemplate Te Anau’s great sporting exports, and pay tribute to Robyn Broughton. Our special guest this week is Southland Sharks big man Callum McRae who has been in impressive form. He shares some exciting news with the podcast. (HAVE A LISTEN HERE).
'Fun, informative' Tuatara Trail installed at Queens Park
Invercargill City Council has announced the opening of the Tuatara Trail, a walking route connecting the former home of the tuatara at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery to their new habitat at Te Moutere – Tuatara Island. (READ MORE HERE).
Quick Quiz… (Southland-All Blacks special)
Which Southlander captained the All Blacks against Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup?
Name the Southland Stags first five-eighth who played 16 teats for the All Blacks from 2015 to 2017?
Jamie Mackintosh played his one test match for the All Blacks against which country?
Which Southlander has played the most test matches for the All Blacks?
1957 All Black Ack Soper played which position?
Answers: 1. Paul Henderson 2. Lima Sopoaga 3. Scotland 4. Jimmy Cowan 5. No 8
Out & About…
The SBS Bank Southland Stags will hold a special NPC season community launch event this season. The launch will take place on July 15 at the Invercargill Blues Rugby Club which this year is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Event Details:
Date: Monday July 15th
Location: Invercargill Blues Rugby Club
Official Team Naming and Welcome: 4:00 PM
BBQ and Meet & Greet: approx. 4:30 PM
The season launch event will start at 4pm with the official naming of the 2024 team. Following the formalities, at approximately 4.30pm, attendees will have the chance to enjoy a BBQ, generously provided by Bunnings Warehouse, and meet the team.
"We are thrilled to open our season with such an engaging community event," said Jack King, Commercial Manager for the SBS Bank Southland Stags.
All fans and community members are welcome to join in the festivities. For more information, please contact Jack King at Rugby Southland: jack@rugbysouthland.co.nz.
In case you missed it…
No 1 ranking: Southland is “a force to be reckoned with” economically, according to a research report collated by the ASB Bank. Each quarter ASB puts together a “Regional Scoreboard” which ranks regions based on year-to-year growth across a range of measures. And Southland is No 1. (READ MORE HERE).
Thirsty Thursday: It’s been 10 long weeks since I started blithering and I’m thinking I’ve earned myself a soothing list rather than a proper column this week. (READ MORE HERE).
Opinion: “We all want a health system that works – giving Southlanders the right care when they need it. To achieve that, the Government is investing $3.4 billion in hospital and specialist services and $2.1 billion for primary care, community and public health, along with $24 million for free mental health counselling services through gumboot Friday and $22 million to train 25 more doctors each year.” (READ MORE HERE).
First five contender: Byron Smith is aware the next month or so is important for him. Smith is contracted to the Stags and has his sights on the Southland No 10 jersey. But before the NPC season rolls around, there is the not-so-small matter of the club rugby playoffs to sort out. (READ MORE HERE).