Rugby Southland today confirmed the departure of Head of Performance and Stags co-coach Matt Saunders, marking the end of an important chapter for the Union. Saunders, who joined as Director of Rugby in 2022, will step away at the end of May to pursue a new opportunity with Foodstuffs NZ.

With Saunders’ departure imminent, the Union has acted swiftly to maintain continuity within its coaching setup. Former Toyota Verblitz Forwards Coach Nathan White has been named the new Stags Forwards Coach and will also assume co-coaching duties alongside current co-coach James Wilson.

In a further boost to the coaching group, Scott Eade has been promoted to Stags Assistant Coach, with responsibility for defence. His appointment reflects Rugby Southland’s ongoing commitment to developing homegrown coaching talent through its established local pathways.

Speaking on Saunders’ departure, Rugby Southland CEO Hua Tamariki acknowledged the mixed emotions within the organisation.

“While we’re gutted to see Matt go, he leaves with my full support and that of everyone involved in our Union,” Tamariki said. “The timing is far from ideal, but the situation was outside of Matt’s control, and we’ve had to act quickly to ensure we maintain continuity and momentum heading into this year's NPC campaign.”

Tamariki paid tribute to Saunders’ impact across multiple roles during his tenure.

“Matt has been a steady and dependable leader. His integrity, honesty, and tireless work ethic have left a lasting impression. He reintegrated seamlessly after a long time away from the game and has become a valued figure within our organisation. He’s a man of strong values—we hold him in high regard and wish him and Jolene all the very best in their next chapter.”

Rugby Southland Chairman Murray Brown also acknowledged Matt’s dedication to the Union.

“Matt, in his role as Head of Performance for Rugby Southland, has met and often exceeded our expectations. He is a deep thinker, committed to the region, with a strong desire to lead and develop people so they can become the best version of themselves through continuous improvement. His integrity throughout this swift transition reflects the high calibre of the person he is. He leaves with the Union’s full support and blessing as he moves into the next phase of life with his wife and family,” said Brown.

On the elevation of Eade, Tamariki expressed confidence in the local coach’s continued rise through the ranks.

“Scotty’s journey through the Union—from various roles within our community team to leading the pathways program—has been impressive,” he said. “He’s self-driven, an exceptional planner, and possesses a unique ability to connect with players across all levels. His inclusion in the Stags' coaching group was always a matter of when, not if.”

Brown also commended Scott Eade’s development, particularly with the Highlanders U20s.

“Scotty already has a growing reputation across New Zealand in the high performance and player pathway space. This was highlighted by his recent role as Head Coach of the Highlanders U20 team, which performed exceptionally well at the recent Super U20 tournament. His leadership in that campaign earned him significant respect from the wider Highlanders management team. This move is a natural and well-deserved progression in Scott’s coaching development,” said Brown.

The addition of Nathan White also aligns with Rugby Southland’s broader strategic goals.

“Nathan brings a wealth of elite playing and coaching experience, including five years with Toyota Verblitz, and most recently under the mentorship of Steve Hansen and Ian Foster,” Tamariki said. “Originally from Waikato, Nathan has a deep connection to provincial rugby and will fit seamlessly into our community. His skills and leadership will be a great complement to James and the entire coaching group as we move closer to NPC kick-off.”

Murray Brown added that the Union remains committed to fostering international partnerships to support the game’s growth and sustainability.

“The inclusion of Nathan in our coaching group reflects Rugby Southland’s commitment to building stronger international relationships across all levels of our organisation." said Brown.  "Japan has been identified as a key strategic region, and Nathan brings not only a high level of coaching expertise but also valuable connections across the wider rugby and business landscape. His involvement will play an important role in supporting and advancing our long-term objectives.”

Rugby Southland has also confirmed that 2024 Stags Forwards Coach Kane Thompson will be unable to return in 2025 due to international coaching commitments with Manu Samoa.

2025 SBS Bank Southland Stags Bunnings NPC Coaching Group

• Co-coaches – James Wilson (Attack) & Nathan White (Breakdown & Lineouts)

• Assistant Coach – Scott Eade (Defence)

• Set-piece Coach – Daryl Thompson (Scrum)

• Skills Coach – Marty McKenzie

2025 Bunnings NPC Campaign – Pathway Development Observers

• Richard Jones – Woodlands

• Dayna Cunningham – Pirates Old Boys

Article added: Tuesday 27 May 2025