The Stags limped to an uninspiring 15-15 draw with Northland in Invercargill on Sunday.
Co-coach James Wilson was disappointed with his side’s effort on attack. Nothing gelled.
He has asked them to believe in themselves a bit more as they prepare for their biggest game of the season — a Ranfurly Shield clash against Wellington in the capital tomorrow.
They will need to believe in themselves because no-one else seems to, Wilson said.
"The whole country has written us off," he said.
"I heard after the Hawke’s Bay-Waikato game they [the commentators] were talking about the games coming up this week and they made a big old hoo-ha about Wellington hosting Tasman for the Ranfurly Shield on Wednesday night.
"I was like, wait a minute there is a Shield challenge before that. It wasn’t even mentioned. Not even mentioned!
"No-one is giving us a chance, except for the 40-odd Southland players and staff here.
"We’re looking forward to it. We are going to take it to Wellington.
"This is a great opportunity for these players to stamp their own mark."
It will also make for a great story if they get up.
Southland has not held the Shield since 2011.
While the competition has arguably lost some of its lustre, it would mean a great deal to the folk in Southland if the Stags returned with the log o’wood.
"It is a huge part of Southland rugby.
"If you talk to the people down here, winning it in 2009 after a 50-year hiatus, and winning it again in 2011, that was sort of the golden era.
"So it is hugely important for us. It would mean a lot. It would be huge for a number of reasons."
Wellington look formidable, though. The Lions outclassed Otago 28-5 and beat Manawatū 22-6 in its opener.
The defending NPC champions do not appear to have many chinks in their armour.
"They are super confident with ball in hand and they’ve got a loose forward trio with experience who love hunting the ball.
"But there is a few opportunities there for us."
The key for the Stags, Wilson said, will be to play with confidence.
"That’s a big part of it — wanting to play because that is the only way we are going to be able to win the Shield.
"The days of a 9-3 win are long gone, especially against a Wellington team that can light it up from anywhere.
"It is going to be a massive challenge."
Southland’s loose forward combination of Blair Ryall, Hayden Michael and Dylan Nel have been asked to be "physical at the breakdown".
"They’ve got guys who want to get the ball back ... so we’ve got to dominate that space."
