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Development XV
Back Row: Wilson Redding, Tim Smith, Harrison Dykes, Kruz Carter, Storm LeQuesne, Josh Murrell, Cody Mason (Coach/Manager)
Middle Row: Bryce Morgan (Coach), Clayton Payne, Mitch O ley, Cameron Smith, Brynn Te Kooro, Daniel Ruddenklau, Jakeb Lawson, Chris McIlwrick (Coach)
Front Row: Josh Davies, Drew Carter, Joseph Wynne, Callum Nimmo, Te Kaanu Te Huia (Captain),Bailey Rangi, Luca Burns (Vice Captain), Blair McKenzie. Absent: Kiri Hogan (Manager, Ross Tewe , Bwarerei Kaie , Maru Raea, Ben Henderson, Caleb McKenzie
SBHS DEVELOPMENT XV RUGBY
Right from the outset, our inten ons were clear: to become the ‘real’ 2nd XV. With the best team roster the ‘Dogs of War’ have seen in a decade, and a coaching sta including Bryce Morgan, Chris McIlwrick, Cody Mason and manager Kiri Hogan, we knew we were des ned for glory. With a minimal amount of training under our belt, mainly consis ng of speed touch, the boys were adamant we were going to rock some domes in the Southland U18 compe on.
“If you can’t get up for this game, you’ll never get up for anything”, a memorable quote by Galbraith Shield winner Bryce Morgan, moments before the ‘Dogs’ were set to take on arch rivals the 2nd XV; the most hyped game in Southland, as the
3rds had not beaten the 2nds since 1987. As relaxed as ever, the ‘Dogs’ were in the zone and ready to go to war. Up against 16 opposi on players, we came out ring and it wasn’t long before the 2nds were under their own s cks having a drink. A Drew Carter le foot step, Jonty S rling’s broken ankles, de le foot kicking by Josh Murrell, a Te Kaanu late shoulder charge, a long- range Blair McKenzie nudge and some Cam Smith pace later, the ‘Dogs’ were up 29-10. Through excep onal composure, superior tness, precision execu on and some genuine ‘Dogs’ mongrel, we ran away with the game 41-22. History had been made!
A er Rugby Southland’s decision to restart
the compe on saw us being stripped of our three bonus point victories, the ‘Dogs’ were gu ed and outright fuming. Se ng a new founda on for the season was always going to be a tough ask, a er all that ini al hard work and determina on was down the drain.
We started the new compe on as one
of the favourites and arguably as one of the most talked about out ts in the rugby community. Knowing we had a 23 man roster full of quality, experienced players with the desire to perform, there was a belief in the group that we could go deep into the season and play nals footy. Coming up against tournament favourites Gore High in the rst game and a 67-0 hiding wasn’t an ideal way to start the new campaign. This was followed by a string
of close losses against 1st XV’s we felt we should be domina ng and winning against. A er taking a hard look at ourselves, these disappoin ng results hit the team hard. Next up was a Woodlands out t, riddled with ex ‘Dogs’ and SBHS players. The boys were zzing to right some wrongs and put on an exhibi on of physicality and razzle dazzle rugby. This dogged determina on resulted in a convincing victory where
our poten al was reached once more. Devasta ng tackles, tac cal genius and outright pace were some of the many highlights. Nearing the business end of the season the Dogs hit their straps with a 75-12 annihila on of the JHC 1st XV, Kruz
Carter showing his classy elusiveness with four excep onal long-range individual tries.
With our 2018 season over, narrowly missing out on a semi’s spot the ‘Dogs of War’ well and truly con rmed themselves as the real 2nd XV. With several outstanding performances, the season was mainly
chat and good fun and we created a good founda on for the future as many players will go on to bigger and be er things in their footy careers. Congratula ons to
our MVP, Drew Carter; Most Improved, Mitch O ley; and our ‘Dog of the Year’, Callum Nimmo. Special men on needs to go to the ‘Dogs’ leaving this season as they played with pride and have le the jersey
in a be er place than when they started with it. A big thanks to the coaches, Cody ‘the Mase Dog’ Mason, Chris ‘the Hundies Matua’ McIlwrick, Bryce ‘White Lightning’ Morgan and our Manager, Kiri Hogan.
Blair McKenzie & Josh Murrell
U17 RED RUGBY
U17 Red had a very good season, with tough games and even teams resul ng in a very ght compe on. A er struggling in the middle of the season with lots
of injuries, we nished up third in the regular round robin. We then had a strong nish with convincing wins in our quarter over Verdon and semi- nal over Central Southland College 2nd XVs.