15 Dallas Kupa-Pickering (Clutha)
Sparked many of Clutha’s attacks from the back field. Was safe as a house under the high ball and kicked intelligently all season. Rewarded with higher honours.
14 Junior Samuelu (Clutha)
The competition’s deadliest finisher with 16 tries, including two in the final on Saturday. Always in the right place at the right time to dot down.
13 Ratu Karamaena (West Taieri)
Played out of his skin most weeks. Has an eye for a gap and can break tackles with ease. On defence, he was very hard to beat.
(Owaka)
Southern Region player of the year. A hard-working midfielder who was very difficult to stop with ball in hand. Put everything into his defending and had the best success rate of all goalkickers this season.
11 Will Scorgie (West Taieri)
Dangerous in the outside channels. Wins almost every one-on-one challenge with ball in hand. Tackles like a freight train.
10 Jared Hayes (Toko)
Excelled in a relatively new position. Kicked well, broke tackles and offloaded well to his midfield runners. Also an accomplished goalkicker.
9 Josh Cook (Crescent)
Best defensive halfback in the competition, with many crucial turnovers at the ruck. Scored 10 tries as well for his troubles.
8 Chris Chittock (Owaka)
Playing his best rugby in his later years. Always breaks the first tackle and makes metres with ball in hand. Never-say-die attitude on defence, often seen running down opposition backs in the 80th minute.
7 Conner Jenkins (West Taieri)
Scored some very important tries for his side this season. Defensively sound.
6 Damian Wilson (Clutha Valley)
Led by example once again with some great performances across the campaign.
5 Tate Colley (Clutha)
Forward of the year. Set-piece kingpin, defensive masterclass every week. A willing carrier of the football.
4 Tyler Brouwer (Crescent)
Hard-working forward. No nonsense. Great defender.
3 Mafi Demont (Clutha)
Excelled in the tight battles. Strong carrier.
2 Keegan Ferguson (Toko)
A huge leader in Toko’s pack in his first season of Country rugby.
1 Kace Shaw (Crescent)
Seamless transition from loose forward to front rower. Best defender in the competition.
Reserves: Josh Turnbull (Clutha), Joe Skipps (Clutha), Regen Potter (Lawrence), George Whyte (Heriot), Jordan Willocks (Clutha Valley), Sam Stratford (Clutha), Teimana Rewita (Toko), Kairus Booth (Crescent).
