Invercargill, 30/10/2025 – Rugby Southland has today confirmed the coaching structure for the SBS Bank Southland Stags for the 2026 Bunnings NPC season and beyond.

Following a review of the 2025 campaign, Rugby Southland will transition from the existing co-coach model to a Head Coach structure. This change is designed to strengthen leadership alignment and ensure greater continuity and clarity across all performance areas.

Scott Eade, who has served as Assistant Coach in charge of Defence during the 2025 NPC, has been appointed Head Coach. He will lead a coaching team consisting of three in-season Assistant Coaches and one Technical Advisor.

Rugby Southland Chief Executive Hua Tamariki said the decision followed an extensive review involving senior players, coaching staff, and support personnel from the 2025 season:

“We had some real honesty from everyone we engaged with, and there were consistent themes that emerged, with one of those being a clear preference to adopt a Head Coach model moving forward.”

On Eade’s appointment, Tamariki added:

“First and foremost, Scott is a great human and a true Southlander. We are excited and proud to bring him into the Head Coach role to build upon the foundations set by Matt, James, and Nathan over the last three years. Scott brings a high level of capacity, resilience, and strategic thinking to the role — matched only by the deep care he has for the team, our players, and our organisation.”

Eade joined the Stags as Assistant Coach ahead of the 2025 NPC and brings valuable experience from a full campaign in the coaching box. Many of the players he previously identified and worked closely with as Pathways Manager at Rugby Southland are now entering the Stags environment, and this pathway will continue as more players reach NPC standard.

Outside of the NPC, Eade will also serve as Head of Performance at Rugby Southland, overseeing a restructured high-performance off-season programme. Tamariki explained:

“His appointment as Head Coach will allow him to plan with confidence and connect the work he leads in the off-season to when the Stags assemble for the NPC.”

Scott Eade, on his appointment, said:

“It’s a privilege and honor to be given the opportunity to lead this team forward. Being a Southlander who has pulled on the jersey and been involved in the organisation, this province has given me so much over the years. I now have the opportunity to serve the team and keep enhancing the momentum Matt, James, and Nathan have created.

Our fan base and community support are the best in the country — it’s a non-negotiable that we reflect that spirit and pride every time we are amongst our community. That spirit and pride flows onto the field, delivering performances that our people are consistently proud of.

I know and believe we have the core playing group in place to enhance the legacy of the jersey over the coming years. I want to see our professional player list growing every year, as well as local players not only stepping up to NPC but performing at NPC, which we saw some great examples of this season. I am deeply excited about the challenge that awaits.”

Rugby Southland Chairman Murray Brown added:

“Alongside alignment and the coaching structure, the other key area identified during the review was the need to have a more advanced high-performance programme leading into an NPC campaign, so our local players are significantly more equipped to meet the demands of the NPC — from improved physical and mental skills, to game understanding and conditioning.

Rugby Southland are delighted that Scott is excited about taking the reins as Head Coach, and we believe he is the best equipped to advance and improve the key areas identified. Through our CEO, Rugby Southland will ensure we provide Scott all the support he requires and invest in his and the wider coaching group’s development to provide every chance of success.”

Rugby Southland expects to make further announcements in the coming days confirming the remainder of the coaching group.

Article added: Thursday 30 October 2025