Strongman Reuben de Jong competes in the Highland games ''heavies'' competition at the NZ Rural Games in Queenstown on Saturday. Photos by Gregor Richardson. : Rural sports take centre stage

Royce Green (left) and Brian Coghlan compete in the coal shovelling competition. : Rural sports take centre stage

Luke Reynolds, from Australia, puts the stone in the Highland games. : Rural sports take centre stage

Bob Bruce and his dog Trump perform during the NZ Inter Island Challenge sheep dog trials. : Rural sports take centre stage

David Fagan displays his NZ Speed Shear Championship trophy. Photo by Paul Taylor. : Rural sports take centre stage