Hot picks for the Southern Region Competition

Published date23 March 2023
Publication titleClutha Leader
2022 finished: 4th

Predicted 2023 finish: 1st

Well then, this is the boldest prediction I’ve thrown out at any stage of my brief sports reporting career. I like the look of Toko very much this season. It took the competition by surprise last season to some degree. A new coaching set up brought new values and a buy-in not seen at Toko for many seasons. This buy-in brought a new found confidence and players who took their game to a new level. This year Toko has recruited well again, adding some huge additions to its forward pack as well as welcoming back some old heads into its backline. The addition of loose forwards Ethan Harrex and Tim Smaill to an already stacked forward pack is fantastic. The return of Jacky Scott and Dylan Mathieson to the backline fills some holes that were made last season. Scott is more than likely going to run the cutter with Mathieson no doubt running well in the midfield. Toko has, in my opinion, one of the strongest squads in terms of depth and ability and is my favourite for this Southern Region Rugby season.

Players to watch: Kieran O’Sullivan, Josh Beer-Williams, Jacky Scott, Jared Hayes.

West Taieri RFC(Pigs)

2022 finished: 5th

Predicted 2023 finish: 2nd

West Taieri is coming off its worst finish since joining the competition last season. Having said that, bottom four champion isn’t too bad, considering it used last season as a ‘‘re-building’’ season. The Pigs have hit the ground running this season in terms of numbers, and have welcomed back some key players who were missing last year for various reasons. The return of Steve Green (un-retired), Will Scorgie (un-injured), and Jackson Reid (failed building apprenticeship) are key additions to an already strong West Taieri squad. Its pre-season has been thrown into disarray however, with just the one match thanks to other teams pulling the pin. The Pigs have enough depth, quality and confidence to get close, if not to, the final this season.

Players to watch: Callum Smeaton, Steve Green, Ethan Hippolite, Will Scorgie.

Heriot RFC (Death Valley Boys)

2022 finished: 6th

Predicted 2023 finish: 4th

Heriot will have been bitterly disappointed with the way its season finished last year, and now it finally has a chance to put it right with a full schedule of footy. Heriot was unlucky not to make the top four last season and was leading by plenty in the bottom four final against West Taieri before being run over in the second half. This season the boys from Death Valley have had a...

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