Woodlands XV made up of Super Rugby quality players
Woodlands is small rural settlement 16km out of Invercargill, but the sheer quality of talent that has passed through its rugby club over the years is remarkable.
The Woodlands Rugby Club will this weekend celebrate its 125th jubilee.
Woodlands is a small rural settlement 16km out of Invercargill, and the sheer quality of talent that has passed through its rugby club over the years is remarkable.
To highlight that, Logan Savory has gone about picking a Woodlands XV made up entirely of players who have played at Super Rugby or national representative level.
WOODLANDS XV
15: Damian McKenzie
The All Black made a cameo appearance for Woodlands in 2022 on what was a special night for Southland club rugby, the Woodlands club, and most importantly the McKenzie family. The McKenzie family is entrenched in the Woodlands club. McKenzie’s rugby credentials don’t need a lot of explaining.
14: Josh Moorby
Moorby made the move south from Waikato in 2019 where he linked with the Woodlands club and played for the Stags.
Unfortunately, for southern rugby folk, the Highlanders didn’t lock Moorby in. He has gone on to become a key asset at the Hurricanes and has represented New Zealand Maori.
13: Marty McKenzie
With his younger brother at fullback, and an All Black at first five-eighth in this team, we’ve slotted Marty in at centre.
He’s a Super rugby quality player who has represented New Zealand Māori. He has played an important role for Woodlands in recent seasons as a player and now in a player/coach capacity.
12: Willis Halaholo
Halaholo went from Southland, to the Hurricanes and onto a lucrative contract with Cardiff in 2016. He ended up qualifying to play for Wales and made five international appearances in 2021.
11: Robbie Robinson
I get it, Robbie isn’t a winger. But leaving out a player who has won a Super Rugby title, kicked Southland to a Ranfurly Shield victory, and played for New Zealand Māori wasn’t an option. He did spend a couple of his early games for the Stags on the wing, so I’ll use that to justify this.
10: David Hill
After playing 33 games for Marlborough, Hill moved south in 2000 where he helped Woodlands to a Galbraith Shield title and played for the Stags that year.
He ended up moving on to play for Waikato and the Chiefs and in 2006 made an appearance for the All Blacks.
9: Jimmy Cowan/Justin Marshall
Surely you’re not going to make me pick one of these two, are you? Marshall went on to play 81 games for the All Blacks and Cowan 53. They are a couple of Mataura legends who also pulled on the Woodlands jersey during their playing days.
8: Kane Thompson
Thompson made the move from Wellington and was a key figure for the Stags from 2005 to 2007. He went on to play for the Highlanders and Chiefs at Super Rugby level. At the international level, he played 33 times for Samoa.
7: Tim Boys
After ditching Otago and throwing his lot in with Southland the tackling machine joined the Woodlands club in Southland. Although he ended up playing most of his club rugby with Midlands in Southland after Super stints with the Highlanders and the Crusaders.
6: Daniel Quate
Quate joined Southland in 2002 from Hawke’s Bay and stayed with the Stags through to 2005, which included lining up for Woodlands.
He went on to play at Super Rugby level for the Highlanders.
5: Joe Tuineau
Tuineau was a schoolboy rugby talent in Auckland before heading to the United States to play American Football at the college level.
During a stint in Invercargill, while visiting his netball playing partner Daneka Wipiiti, he lined up for Woodlands and ended up being contracted by the Stags.
The big athletic lock was part of the 2009 Ranfurly Shield winning team and played Super Rugby for the Highlanders. He also played 30 teats for Tonga.
4: Daniel Ramsay
Ramsay is another athletic lock who has carved out an impressive rugby career, much of it in France. Before that he played for Southland, Wellington, and Otago, and of course Woodlands.
In 2010 Ramsay represented New Zealand Māori.
3: Clarke Dermody
Clarke Dermody has achieved plenty in rugby. The All Blacks, the Highlanders as a player and coach, a Stags captain, and London Irish stalwart.
He also led Woodlands to a Galbraith Sheild title in 2004.
2: Jason Rutledge
Over 200 games for Woodlands, Southland’s most capped Stag ever, 59 games for the Highlanders. Enough said.
1: Jamie Mackintosh
Mackintosh had a busy professional rugby career which included 110 games for the Stags, and 89 at Super Rugby level. He also got himself an All Black test cap.
But amongst all of that Mackintosh made sure whenever he could he lined up for the Woodlands club in Southland.
To highlight the number of quality of players who have pulled on the Woodlands jersey, we’ve had leave out the likes of Joe Walsh, Peni Ravai, and Solomon Alaimalo who have all reached Super Rugby level.
Strong Team. Would give a lot of International teams a run for their money!