Young Stag keen and eager for more following surreal debut

Thursday, 7 August 2025

Eighteen-year-old Stag Mika Muliaina scores his first points fror the Stags.

Twelve months ago if you said to Mika Muliaina that he’d be playing in Stag Day - he probably would have laughed at you.

That’s how fast his rise has been from Southland Boys’ High School standout, to Highlanders under 20s, to fringe New Zealand under 20 squad, dominating in Dunedin club rugby and now to an NPC debut all while he’s just 18-years-old.

The silky skilled first five-eighth played 35 minutes off the bench against Otago last Saturday and showed plenty of nice touches, enough to show the future is in safe hands down south.

“It was a cool experience. It was so loud running out it was pretty hectic. It was cool to get out there for my first game.”

His debut at 18 has seen him join the likes of Jimmy Cowan, Robbie Robinson and Jeff Wilson to have donned the Stags’ outfit at that age.

Muliaina has a strong passing and kicking game and didn’t shy away from his duties on attack or defence.

“Definitely didn’t think it was going to come in round one. I thought I might get a go later in the season but not this early on.”

Muliaina signing the first of many signatures after his debut against Otago.

The appearance has only fuelled the fire for more game time.

With three of the coaching team in James Wilson, Marty McKenzie and Scott Eade all former 10s, he has plenty of people to learn off including 50 plus cap NPC veteran Dan Hollinshead.

“Marty and Scott have been with me the whole time throughout my age group stuff and it’s good to have them there supporting me. Dan has been around a while and I’m learning lots from him as well.”

To play for the team he grew up supporting was a special moment for Muliaina.

“It’s pretty cool to play for the region and province I grew up supporting, especially here at home.

He also added his name to the list of points scorers for the Stags with his second half conversion, in what is likely to be the first of many.

“I didn’t hit it very well but stoked it went over.”

He’s been named on the bench for the second successive week as the Stags hope to bounce back from last week’s loss against Northland on Friday night.

Muliaina’s uncle is none other than 100 test All Black Mils Muliaina, who also attended Southland Boys High School before moving north to forge a rugby career.

Prop Jack Sexton has been named to start despite carrying an ankle issue, while Alefosio Aho is starting at lock with Woody Kirkwood out with a knee injury.

Hollinshead has been whisked back into the number 10 jersey, while the rest of the backline stays the same.

Woodlands forward Nathan Va’atausili is in line to play his second game for the Stags, five years after his first.

On the bench, Jone Tiko the former Fijian Drua prop is in line for his debut, while Nathan Va’atausili could earn his second cap as a flanker.

He played one game as a flanker five years ago but returned this year trying to crack it as a hooker, however, he will cover the loose forwards, which is where he finished playing for Woodlands in the club season.

Kickoff is 7.05pm and Southland will be aiming to retain the Hetaraka Peter Te Tai Trophy, named after Te Tai who was born and bred in Northland and is now part of the Southland Stags family

Stags team to face Northland

Rory Van Vugt, Michael Manson, Isaac Te Tamaki, Matt Whaanga, Scott Gregory, Dan Hollinshead, Nic Shearer, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Sean Withy (c), Sam Fischli, Alefosio Aho, Mitch Dunshea, Morgan Mitchell, Jack Taylor, Jack Sexton, reserves, Aukusitino Salanoa, Jone Tiko, Paula Latu, Cian Hurley, Nathan Va’atausili, Connor Collins, Mika Muliaina, Faletoi Peni.