Waikato

10 - 25

Full Time

Southland Stags

Southland Stags vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

83'

This is dangerous for the defence as Aki Tuivailala bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

79'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Dan Hollinshead will have to re-adjust the radar.

75'

Dan Hollinshead takes the penalty but the ball didn't come round, staying right of the posts.

73'

A gap opened in the defence and Aki Tuivailala took full advantage.

72'

Southland make a substitution with Sam Fischli coming on.

69'

Southland make a substitution with Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa coming off.

69'

Southland make a substitution with Paula Latu coming on.

69'

Southland make a substitution with Morgan Mitchell coming off.

69'

Waikato make a substitution with Rui Farrant coming on.

69'

Waikato make a substitution with Xavier Roe coming off.

69'

Southland make a substitution with Nic Souchon coming on.

69'

Southland make a substitution with Jack Taylor coming off.

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Mason Tupaea took full advantage.

68'

Waikato make a substitution with Xavier Saifoloi coming on.

65'

Waikato make a substitution with Samipeni Finau coming off.

65'

Southland sub George Reeves comes onto the field.

64'

Nathan Va'atausili departs for Southland.

64'

Waikato sub Aki Tuivailala comes onto the field.

64'

Oli Mathis departs for Waikato.

64'

Southland sub Dan Hollinshead comes onto the field.

63'

Byron Smith departs for Southland.

63'

Conversion

The Southland supporters go wild as Byron Smith successfully kicks the conversion.

60'

Try

A pinpoint kick has enabled Fletcher Morgan to score the try.

59'

The defensive line has been broken as Fletcher Morgan goes through the gap.

59'

Byron Smith played a key part in that try.

59'

Connor McLeod comes on for Southland.

57'

Nic Shearer leaves the field.

57'

Sefo Kautai comes on for Waikato.

57'

George Dyer leaves the field.

57'

What a run here by Senita Lauaki as they get over the gainline!

55'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Byron Smith kicks the conversion.

51'

Joe Walsh comes on.

51'

Hunter Fahey comes off.

51'

Aaron Cruden comes on.

51'

Lima Sopoaga comes off.

51'

Try

A penetrating move by Southland results in a try for Nic Shearer.

50'

Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa sets up the try.

50'

What a run here by Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa as they get over the gainline!

50'

Penalty Goal

Byron Smith makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

47'

Michael Manson makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Waikato make a substitution with Sean Ralph coming on.

42'

Waikato make a substitution with Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia coming off.

42'

Fabulous play by Southland has led to Fletcher Morgan being able to wriggle through a gap.

41'

Waikato make a substitution with Malachi Wrampling-Alec coming on.

40'

Waikato make a substitution with Luke Jacobson coming off.

40'

Waikato sub Mason Tupaea comes onto the field.

40'

Ollie Norris departs for Waikato.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Fabulous play by Southland has led to Faletoi Peni being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

Byron Smith curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

29'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa scores from close range.

28'

Trouble here as Tayne Harvey breaches the defence.

26'

Penalty Goal

Lima Sopoaga adds the points for Waikato.

20'

Conversion

Lima Sopoaga converts the try.

15'

Try

Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia scores the try from close range.

15'

Penalty Goal

Byron Smith kicks the penalty.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Waikato v Southland Stags 
  
 Round 5 
  
 Sat 30th August 2025, 09:35pm PDT 
  
 FMG Stadium Waikato 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Ben O'Keeffe

Points Flow Chart

Southland Stags win +15

Time in lead

Mins in lead

40%

% Of Game In Lead

55%

62%

Possession Last 10 min

38%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Smith

60'

10 - 25

Morgan

59'

10 - 23

Smith

51'

10 - 18

Shearer

50'

10 - 16

Smith

47'

10 - 11

Half Time

Tupou Ta'eiloa

28'

10 - 8

Sopoaga

10 - 3

20'

Sopoaga

7 - 3

15'

Boyle-Tiatia

5 - 3

15'

Smith

0 - 3

Start

Win Probability

Waikato

83%

Draw

Southland Stags

16%

Start of Possession Passages by Connor McLeod

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.7

Entries

Attack Profile

Waikato

Southland Stags

More Less

Defence Profile

Waikato

Southland Stags

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

37%

32%

3-6 secs

52%

46%

6+ secs

11%

21%

125

Rucks Won

119

Last 5 Penalties

62'

65'

72'

81'

Waikato

Southland Stags

Waikato vs Southland Stags Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Waikato face off against Southland Stags in Hilux NPC Round 5 on Sat 30th August 2025 at FMG Stadium Waikato. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 05:35. In South Africa it’s at 06:35 SAST on SuperSport, 16:35 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 14:35 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 21:35 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Southland Stags won the last encounter but Waikato are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by 6 places in the league table with Southland Stags in 7th and Waikato in 13th as such Southland Stags are favourites on paper.

Waikato vs Southland Stags Squads

The official squads for Waikato vs Southland Stags will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.