It is with great pleasure that Rugby Southland and its stakeholders announce Leicester Rutledge has been elected Rugby Southland President. 

At last nights belated 133rd Rugby Southland Annual General Meeting it was voted that Rugby Southland elect a new president following outgoing president Kim McDowalls apointment as a director of the Rugby Southland Board.

Rutledge has spent the majority of his life serving the rugby community of Southland. He was Wrights Bush’s first All Black, going on to play 31 matches, including 13 tests on the side of the scrum for the All Blacks.

He played 113 games for Southland, later coaching and managing the Southland team, including being manager during the 2009 Ranfurly Shield win and 2010 shield tenure.

Leicester is a Life Member of Rugby Southland and is looking forward to continuing to meet and inspire the next generation of players. 

Congratulations Leicester. 

Article added: Thursday 01 October 2020