Southern Region Rugby

27/06/2026

**** RESULTS *****

Toko 89 - Clinton 12

Owaka 18 - Lawrence 12

Crescent 36 - West Taieri 19

Clutha 45 - Clutha Valley 41

26/06/2026

Another young legend making his refereeing debut in the Southern Region. Go well, Cullen!!

This week sees Cullen Fagan take charge of his first premier game.
Cullen began refereeing in King Country as a 16 year old. He was appointed Head Boy of Otorohanga College in 2024 and after graduating he moved to Dunedin to study in 2025. Cullen showed good promise with his skill on the field in his first two games however, Cullen sadly suffered a season ending injury after his second game which was a big blow for him. To his credit he still put his hand up to help out with sub controlling on premier fixtures to stay involved and connected.
His determination helped him return fit and well. After good offseason training put in he was raring to go at the start of this season and his development and willingness to grow has been next level. Cullen is always the first to critic his own performances which clearly drives his own development wanting to improve each week. This plus his current performances has earned him his premier debut where he will referee Toko vs Clinton in Milton.
It will be another great step up for Cullen and we wish him all the best for the game.

26/06/2026

Congratulations to Daniel Miller who brings up 50 matches for Owaka this weekend at Swamp Hen Park.

26/06/2026

Congratulations to Dion Muir who brings up 50 matches for Lawrence at Swamp Hen Park this weekend.

26/06/2026

Congratulations to Paul Papalii who brings up his 50th match for Clutha this weekend at Clydevale!

25/06/2026

SOUTHERN REGION PREMIER RUGBY COMPETITION

ROUND TWO – WEEK SEVEN

CRESCENT vs WEST TAIERI

Saturday 27th June, 3:00pm @ Kaitangata

Referee – Georgia Mason

AR’s – Rob van Vugt & Wayne Carruthers

THE YARN

Crescent and West Taieri go to war this weekend at Kaitangata with important competition points on the line. Both sides are still well within a shot at semi-final footy, but the home side need to find points and quickly. Last weekend saw Crescent have the bye which gave them no points for their toil. The Coal Miners sit in sixth spot but are well within reach of the top four. West Taieri snapped a losing streak last weekend against Toko and are somehow still only four points behind leaders Clutha with a larger margin in front of Valley in third. A win in this match would almost lock in a home semi-final for the Pigs so there will be plenty of motivation.

PREVIOUS RESULT

West Taieri won the round one match 41-15 at Outram after rushing out to a 29-0 lead at halftime. The first half blowout was far too hard for Crescent to chase despite periods of greatness in the second.

PLAYER WATCH

Crescent return to action with a strong side capable of taking the win and forging their way up the ladder. Strating up front with a no nonsense tight five. Kace Shaw, Kelan Smith, and Koen Robson form a physical front row with set piece extremely important. Skipper Tyler Brouwer and Aydan Edwards will carry strongly and look to break the advantage line. No8 Tyson McKenzie has been a strong addition to this Crescent side and his battle with his opposite will be a good watch in itself. The backs have a familiar look to them. Jackson Cook is having a strong season and will be a danger out wide. Crescent’s bench will add plenty of impact up front and out wide.

West Taieri gains the services of Michael Thomas back in the front row which should allow them to scrummage well. Conor Beaton and Ben Davidson pack down in the second row. Davidson’s work rate at the lineout is underrated and extremely important to pick off any wayward throws. Conner Jenkins is always a danger when selected and will look to find gaps in the defence. Jackson Reid is coming off his best match of the season and is looking to time his run to the finals nicely. Ratu Karamaena and Jacob Walls will relish the challenge in the midfield. West Taieri’s bench has a young and exciting look to it, except for a couple of oldies keeping the age honest.

WHO WINS?

This could go either way. Crescent needs the win and will be fresh and ready after a week off. West Taieri are battle hardened and will be difficult to stop. West Taieri 12- here.

DRIBBLES SURE BET

Crescent will score tries through Jackson Cook and Tyson McKenzie. West Taieri will score tries through Luke Moeke and Finn Aitken.

25/06/2026

SOUTHERN REGION PREMIER RUGBY COMPETITION

ROUND TWO – WEEK SEVEN

TOKO vs CLINTON

Saturday 27th June, 3:00pm @ Milton

Referee – Cullen Fagan

AR’s – Ray Wilson & Colin Calteaux

THE YARN

Another exciting battle is going down at Milton this weekend with Toko hosting Clinton in what is a hugely important match for the home side. Toko’s loss to West Taieri last weekend saw the Axemen drop out of the top four for the first time in recent memory with Heriot leapfrogging them into the promised land. However. Heriot has the bye this weekend which means no points available giving Toko the perfect opportunity to jump back to the status quo of the week before. Clinton were towelled up by Clutha last weekend but showed plenty of fight and ticker like they have all season. They wont care about Toko needing points, they will be pushing for their first win of the campaign.

PREVIOUS RESULT

Toko made hay under lights at Clinton in round one with a 59-5 victory. Toko were too big and too strong and pushed Clinton all around the park. Their big ball runners made metres and asked Clinton to defend stoutly for long periods. Brodie Ferguson, Keegan Ferguson, and Dylan Greer all scored two tries each. Clinton couldn’t halt Toko’s momentum but once again never gave up.

PLAYER WATCH

Toko have moved a few players around for this match but have still named a hugely strong side. Up front, Blake Michelle starts at tighthead prop with Brodie Ferguson shifting to the boot of the scrum. Dylan Greer remains at lock alongside Josh Sanders with Toby Greene starting at openside flanker. The return of Teimana Rewita in the midfield will give Toko a boost, Teimana has been in solid form this season and will look to test out his injured knee. Jared Hayes and Macleod Glaister form a dangerous spine on attack. Toko’s bench has experience, energy, and excitement.

Clinton has named a strong XV to start the match. Up front, a hugely competitive front row of Rhys Harris, Macrae Sanderson, and Tom Copland will battle away up front at set piece and on both attack and defence. Blake McDonald has had an impressive season at lock and will need to be at his best this week. Morgan Greer and Ash Wendelgelst will also need to be sharp at the breakdown. Cooper Sampson runs the cutter and can create plenty with front foot ball. John Brazier in his second match for Clinton will try and find space out wide. Valley loanees Karson Petty and Nate Beihl start and will want to show their talent. Clinton has a few spots on the bench that they will hope to fill by Saturday.

WHO WINS?

This match is far too important for Toko to let it slip here. It might be close to start, but Toko will win 13+ in the end.

DRIBBLES SURE BET

Toko will score tries through Keegan Ferguson and Jared Hayes. Clinton will score through Blake McDonald and Brayden Campbell.

25/06/2026

SOUTHERN REGION PREMIER RUGBY COMPETITION

ROUND TWO – WEEK SEVEN

OWAKA vs LAWRENCE

Saturday 27th June, 3:00pm @ Owaka

Referee – Matt McBride

AR’s – Sam Landreth & Luke McLay

THE YARN

Club Day fever hits Swamp Hen Park and it is Owaka’s turn to celebrate and showcase all of their age group talent. Lawrence are the visitors and the premier match should be a fantastic spectacle for all involved. Both these teams seem destined to be contesting bottom four footy again this season despite performing well at times. Owaka is sitting in eighth place on the ladder just two points behind their opposition. The Hens were beaten by Heriot last weekend in a physical battle. Lawrence was also beaten last weekend in a match which saw Clutha Valley wrestle the Miller Cup away from Simpson Park. There is a small gap between these two sides to the next group of teams, but positioning in the bottom four is still extremely important.

PREVIOUS RESULT

It was heartbreak for Lawrence in round one as Owaka scored in referees time at the end of the match to take an 18-12 win in a low scoring and physical encounter. Owaka led 6-5 at halftime before Lawrence earned the right to take the lead through a second try to fullback Jaxon Bennington. Owaka’s scrum proved to be the difference and no8 Craig McCormick barged over the line to steal the win under Lawrence’s moody lights in a pre – Duck Shooting fixture.

PLAYER WATCH

Owaka has made a couple of changes with players retuning and also a couple missing through injury. The tight five remains the same as last weekend with a real onus on attacking from set piece. Skipper Daniel Miller runs out in his 50th match for Owaka and will want to set the tone at scrum time alongside Chris Preddy. Archie Leggett and Josh Cairns return to the loose forwards alongside Chris Chittock. Craig McCormick and Blake Affleck sit out this weekend through injury. Isaac Farrell moves back to halfback where he has shown his ability this season. Adam McNab shifts into centre with James Maclean starting on the left wing. Owaka’s bench is forward heavy and will look to add plenty of impact when asked.

Lawrence has named a strong starting XV which will look to attack Owaka up front and especially at the breakdown. Jack Robinson. Nathan Bee, and Duncan McRae will be tested at scrum time but will carry strongly and put in a physical shift. Lawrence’s loose forward are perhaps the most important trio on the field with Toby Harrex, Sam Wyber, and Jake Lyders primed to go to work. Tyrone Goodlet and Ollie Kenny have they keys to the backline again and will want to unleash Dion Muir and Caleb Darling in the outside channels. Lawrence once again has a full bench which is always a bonus at this time of season.

WHO WINS?

This match will be won by the team who wants it the most. Both sides are riddled with injuries and have plenty of fill in players helping out. Owaka should get a boost from the crowd and will be motivated for Chub’s 50th. I’ll give it to the Hens in a close battle.

DRIBBLES SURE BET

Owaka will score tries through second five Donald Esera and flanker Archie Leggett. Lawrence will score tries through flanker Jake Lyders and first five Ollie Kenny.

25/06/2026

SOUTHERN REGION PREMIER RUGBY COMPETITION

ROUND TWO – WEEK SEVEN

CLUTHA VALLEY vs CLUTHA

Saturday 27th June, 3:00pm @ Clydevale

Referee – Andrew Laughton

AR’s – Dave O’Neill & Mark Shore

TURNBULL TROPHY & SPEIGHTS JUG

THE YARN

A really interesting contest takes place at Clydevale this weekend as third placed Clutha Valley host competition leaders Clutha. The two pieces of silverware on the line are one of the reasons why this match will be hotly contested but competition points are definitely a big motivator as well. Valley sits in third place with a decent buffer of points behind West Taieri and only two points in front of Heriot in fourth. Valley was clinical in their performance over Lawrence at the weekend and took maximum points away from Simpson Park. Clutha did what they had to do against Clinton with a bonus point win. The Steamers are still unbeaten and are starting to look like a title winning side.

PREVIOUS RESULT

Clutha beat Clutha Valley 38-23 under lights at the Clutha Showgrounds in round one. Clutha Valley was the best side in the first half. Valley’s scrum was exceedingly dominant and set a strong platform. Some forced changes by Valley at halftime saw Clutha fight back into the match and finish the stronger of the two sides to take the important win. Connor Mills featured with a hat trick of tries for Clutha in a strong individual performance.

PLAYER WATCH

Clutha Valley has selected perhaps their best 22 of the season for this match which stirs the competitive juices. Up front, Jack Pringle, Dave Matsas, and Chris Barrett start in the front row. Valley will look to attack Clutha in this area and try to gain parity. Ben Witt starts in the second row and will bring the fizz from the start. Damian Wilson, Jordan Willocks, and Dean Sinnamon are the trio everyone has come to see. Thomas Johnson will play big minutes and look to create plenty. Lachie Moore seems to have shaken off a hamstring and is ready to play in the midfield. Brayden Wilson returns to fullback and will want to carry on his top form. Valley’s bench boasts game changing players such as Jonny Sargent, Finn Gilder, and Harlin Puna who can lift the energy and create plenty in the dying stages.

Clutha has named a competitive 22 for the match which shows how seriously they are taking it. Joe Skipps starts at ho**er alongside Mafi Demont and Panapa Antonio. Tate Colley returns to the side alongside brother Bax in the second row. Clutha’s loose forward trio will relish the challenge against Valley’s dynamic trio. Sam Stratford starts at halfback alongside Matt Korteweg who rested last weekend. Sosene Te’o starts in the midfield after scoring a hat trick off the pine against Clinton. Tyler Bichan will want more tries out wide in this match. Clutha’s bench has power and precision which will lift the tempo in the second half.

WHO WINS?

I feel like conditions may suit Valley more than Clutha this weekend. Valley aren’t out of the woods in terms of semi-final footy and they need (at least) one more win to be safe. Clutha would be the sensible money after going from strength to strength each week. I will pick Valley just to be different, but they have left some key scrummagers from last time off the team sheet this week.

DRIBBLES SURE BET

Valley will score important tries through Dean Sinnamon and Jaxon Evans. Clutha will score tries through Tyler Bichan and Panapa Antonio.

24/06/2026

🍬🍬🍬🍬 ORACLE 🍬🍬🍬🍬

The Oracle was beaten yet again last weekend. Up against the under fire expert this weekend is Big River Country veteran Shanika McKenzie. Only one result different.

GAME ON!

BEST OF LUCK.