Southlands Arese Poliko and Niko Manaena have both signed with the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags. These latest signings highlight the young talent coming through the development system, with a combined age of 40, still younger than Southland Legend Jason Rutledge when he took the field last season.

Both former Southland Boys High School Students, Arese a number 8 who also attended Menzies, linked with Invercargill Blues following his school years, while Niko played prop in Wellington for Petone and NZ U18 Maori. In 2020 Poliko and Manaena made their Southland debuts against back-to-back Premiership Champions Tasman, in what some would call a baptism by fire, but a challenge Dale MacLeod knew the boys were up to.

“These two boys are built to play rugby, for young men they are a dominant force on the field, and they have years ahead of them to develop their game. They held their own for most of the Tasman game and I’m proud of their efforts.”

“Having Arese stay wanting to stay in the South and Niko returning after 18 months in Wellington proves that both boys are prepared to push through to become full time professionals” says MacLeod.

Those efforts being made clear with MacLeod offering contracts for the next 2021 and 22 Stags Seasons.

Article added: Monday 15 February 2021