Robbie Robinson playing for Japanese team the Sunwolves against the Rebels during the 2018 Super Rugby competition. Both would be welcomed additions to the Stags’ 2021 squad, but MacLeod admits to challenges around player contracting at the moment. The Stags are the lowest spending province in the NPC, in terms of player budgets. MacLeod expects his budget will sit at about $150,000 below the next lowest spending team in the championship division. He is already in the market to find a tighthead prop, as well as a halfback, and he was trying to find ways to secure the likes of Dixon and Robinson. The second-year Stags head coach hasn’t signed a player for the past six weeks to try to make sure he gets his 2021 squad makeup right.
Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit warms up before the round five Mitre 10 Cup game against Northland. Selby-Rickit moved to Southland in 2017 after he struggled for opportunities with Manawatu and he quickly developed into a key asset in the Stags setup on his way to picking up a contract with the Highlanders. This year he was included in the South team for the North-South All Blacks trial fixture. While disappointed, MacLeod said he respected Selby-Rickit’s decision and said the Stags now had to focus on filling the void at lock. Bay of Plenty has also signed Stags tight-head prop Lio Tosi who was transformed from a No 8 to a front-rower last year.