Unexpected eight-year Southland stint comes to end
“After a few years I couldn’t see myself playing for anyone but Southland. It’s a good province and a nice town. I loved it down there."
Joseph Walsh recalls the 2016 phone call well.
He was at work in Hamilton when his rugby mate Wharenui Hawera touched based with a suggestion.
Hawera had already signed to play for the Southland Stags that year. The first five-eighth put it to Walsh that he too should make the move to Invercargill.
Walsh had spent a couple of seasons in the Waikato NPC setup but had managed just two games.
The loosehead prop did make the Southland move and linked up with the Woodlands Rugby Club. That year he made his Stags NPC debut against Otago at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
There’s been countless players over many years who have shifted to Invercargill in a quest for a rugby opportunity, but most have come and gone after just a year or two.
Walsh bucked that trend.
He ended up making Southland home for close to nine years; something he never expected would eventuate when he first made the shift in 2016.
Walsh has created fond memories, developed lifelong friendships, won a couple of Galbraith Shield titles, and racked up 69 games in the Southland jersey.
“After a few years I couldn’t see myself playing for anyone but Southland. It’s a good province and a nice town. I loved it down there,” Walsh told The Tribune.
In December, Walsh called time on his extended Southland stay deciding to return to Hamilton to live.
He had battled injuries in recent years and in turn struggled for game time with the Stags. At the end of the 2024 NPC campaign there wasn’t a contract extension on offer with the Southland Stags.
In a double blow, Walsh’s netball playing partner Grace Namana also was overlooked for a contract with the Southern Steel for the 2025 ANZ Premiership.
“We both missed out on contracts, and she got a job up here [in Hamilton] so I just thought I would follow,” Walsh said.
Walsh will reunite with the Melville Rugby Club to play club rugby in the Waikato this year.
The 31-year-old hasn’t completely closed the book on the possibility of adding to his 71 provincial caps, but his body would need to start to play ball.
“I’m definitely keen to play, it is just at the moment the body is not too keen on it. That’s the hardest thing; the mind wants to play but the body is not playing its part.
“If a contract come up, or as a replacement player, I would jump at it if I’m fit and healthy. I definitely wouldn’t close the door on another season or two if I was available.
“The plan is to go back and play club rugby and enjoy rugby and see what happens.”
A couple of games standout for Walsh amongst the 69 he played for Southland. His 50th game milestone against Wellington at Porirua is one of those.
The other is the 2020 victory over Otago at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
Walsh is grateful of the many friendships he has developed during his time playing in Southland. It includes a tight bond with one of his fellow Woodlands and Stags props.
“A big one is probably Paula Latu. I lived with him, and he is the sort of guy that you just can’t hate. He is so likeable, so he is probably one that stands out for me.
“But I think everyone down there, it’s a tight-knit group and you get along with everyone. You still keep in contact with everyone throughout the year.”
Latu also hasn’t been re-signed by the Stags for 2025. The Tongan international has taken up a contract with Welsh club Newport Dragons.
Like Walsh, Latu struggled for game time with the Stags in 2024 because of injury problems.
So, who looms as the Southland’s propping options in 2025?
Loosehead Jack Sexton had a strong 2024 season with the Stags and has joined the Highlanders on a wider contract for the 2025 Super Rugby season which will aid his development.
Sexton again shapes as the frontline loosehead option, with Ethan de Groot expected to be on All Black duties.
Youngsters Hunter Fahey and Liam McIntosh at this point are the other loosehead options for the Stags this year.
Both Fahey and McIntosh had their own injury problems this year with McIntosh breaking his leg.
In the tighthead department Hamdhan Tuipolutu, Sean Paranihi, and Morgan Mitchell are likely to be options in 2025.
The Stags decision-makers have made good progress in the player contracting department with about 25 players re-signed to date. That’s well advanced at this time of the year compared to previous years.