Scott Eade is making a return to the Stags.

The 26-year-old first five-eighth played over 60 Mitre 10 Cup games since making his debut for Southland in 2011.

However last year Eade opted to take a break away from representative rugby.

Stags coach Dave Hewett said he had had discussions with Eade last year and other unions had also shown interest in him, but the Marist captain felt the break would be in his best interests.

The discussions continued this season and Hewett was pleased they had been able to lock Eade in for the 2019 campaign.

He joins Chiefs Super Rugby player Marty McKenzie and Mitch Taylor as contracted first five-eighths.

Eade has been playing at fullback for Marist this year and has also spent time at halfback which will help with cover for the Stags, but Hewett said Eade's key role was as a first five-eighth.

On top of Eade's on-field attributes, Hewett said the former New Zealand under 20 representatives would add experience to the Stags setup.

Eade's signing takes the number of contracted Stags players to 27 for the 2019 season with another five players likely to be added.

Hewett said it was pleasing to add another player who had been playing their club rugby in Southland.

He felt there was a perception that Southland brought in a lot of players from outside the region, but Hewett said the reality was that a majority of the Stags play their club rugby in Southland.

"Out of all of the [27] players we've signed 25 played their rugby in Southland, that's including Marty McKenzie because he is a Southlander.

"It shows that there is an opportunity there for players playing in Southland."

Meanwhile, outside back Lewis Ormond is expected to be ruled out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Ormond injured his knee at a Stags training and there was a fear it could rule out of the year.

However, with the estimated six to eight-week lay-off Hewett expects to have him ready for the start of the Mitre 10 Cup in August.

All going well Hewett said Ormond could even be back for his club team Woodlands if they were to make the Galbraith Shield finals.

Article Pushinged by Logan Savory/ Southland Times (Stuff Media)

Article added: Thursday 06 June 2019