Pulse Check
Southern Swashbucklers waiting for the season-defining moment
The franchise sits in a balanced state, with the next few fixtures likely to decide whether the mood turns into belief or pressure.
Franchise Identity Layer
ELITE FRANCHISE
“Strength of the South”
The Southern Swashbucklers are the pride of Otago and one of the most feared names in World Fantasy Rugby history. Built on toughness, southern grit, and relentless competitive spirit, the Swashbucklers carry the identity of a club that never backs down from the fight.
Their greatest achievement came in WFR XIX (2013), when the Swashbucklers conquered the world stage to become the last crowned WFR World Champions — a title that still echoes throughout the league today. That championship legacy remains the heartbeat of the franchise, inspiring every new generation to uphold the standards forged by the heroes of 2013.
Driven by tradition, passion, and the pride of the deep south, the Southern Swashbucklers continue to chase glory while carrying the weight of championship history on their shoulders.
Club DNA
Prestige93
Legacy92
Fan Pulse50
Dynasty★★★★★
Squad Size35
Total Salary$85,150,000
CompetitionWFR Premiership
CountryNew Zealand
Franchise Momentum Layer
STABLE Momentum
50/100Southern Swashbucklers enter WFR XXX with elite franchise expectations and a the pride of the south identity. The club mood is balanced, with the next run of fixtures set to define the season narrative. With elite prestige and legacy scores, anything short of a serious campaign will create headlines. Rivalry watch is locked on Peninsula Whalers, with heat currently sitting at 50/100. Media pressure is already high, making every selection and result feel bigger.
Momentum
50
Media Pressure
95
Rivalry Heat
50
Supporter Pulse + Media Watch
Building
HIGH PRESSURE“The Dunedin faithful are building as Southern Swashbucklers prepare for the next chapter.”
“The fanbase is watching closely for an early statement performance.”
“The media standard is unforgiving: this club is expected to deliver.”
“Rivalry attention remains on Peninsula Whalers, with heat still building.”
Rivalry Watch · ACTIVE
Southern Swashbucklers vs Peninsula Whalers · Heat 50/100
Phase 2.2 · Live News / Story Engine
WFR Story Wire
Auto-generated franchise headlines using momentum, media pressure, supporter mood, rivalry heat, legacy and expectation data.
Live Narrative Feed
Media Take
Media spotlight intensifies on Southern Swashbucklers
Expectation is already at title-contender level. Every selection, injury note and result will be magnified.
Rivalry Feed
Rivalry watch continues to build
Southern Swashbucklers and Peninsula Whalers are now linked in one of the most watched storylines on the WFR calendar.
Legacy Lens
Legacy standards remain sky-high
Southern Swashbucklers carry a elite franchise reputation, meaning the league will judge them by championship-level expectations.
Supporter Voice
Supporter mood: Building
The dunedin supporters are setting the emotional temperature around the club, and that pulse will become louder as results arrive.
Phase 2.4 · Live Matchday Universe
CHARGED Stadium Energy
Capitol Rhinos v Southern Swashbucklers · Forsyth Barr Stadium · WFR Match Feed
Live Matchday Feed
Stadium Energy
59/100
Match Importance
69/100
Projected Crowd
37,000
Broadcast Match Intro
Tonight under the lights at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Southern Swashbucklers prepare for Capitol Rhinos with the dunedin faithful already making noise.
Dynamic Crowd Commentary
Projected attendance is tracking around 37,000 of 37,000 capacity, with late demand now capped by stadium size.
The crowd build-up is steady, with the first big moment likely to decide the tone inside the stadium.
Fan mood: Building. Season expectation: Competitive.
Match Pressure Headlines
This is a statement opportunity more than a routine fixture.
Supporters want proof that the club mood is turning into on-field authority.
Franchise Command Centre
Welcome to the fan-facing headquarters for Southern Swashbucklers. Follow the squad, fixtures, results, ladder position and latest club stories as WFR XXX comes alive.
The Pride of the South · ELITE FRANCHISE
Squad Roster Click any player for Real Life + WFR Life
| Pick | Player | Position | Country | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #74 |
Caleb Clarke
Blues · WFR00137 |
Wing | New Zealand | $4,500,000 |
| #86 |
Leicester Fainga'anuku
Tasman · WFR00165 |
Centre | New Zealand | $4,500,000 |
| #98 |
Brad Weber
Stade Francais · WFR00581 |
Scrumhalf | New Zealand | $3,500,000 |
| #110 |
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Waikato · WFR01009 |
Hooker | New Zealand | $3,000,000 |
| #122 |
Christian Lio-Willie
Otago · WFR00777 |
Flanker | New Zealand | $3,000,000 |
| #134 |
Eben Etzebeth
Sharks · WFR00382 |
Lock | South Africa | $3,500,000 |
| #146 |
Steven Kitshoff
Ulster · WFR01488 |
Prop | South Africa | $2,500,000 |
| #180 |
Ox Nche
Sharks · WFR01433 |
Prop | South Africa | $2,500,000 |
| #187 |
Luke Jacobson
Waikato · WFR00266 |
Flanker | New Zealand | $4,000,000 |
| #276 |
Rohan Wingham
Otago · WFR05188 |
Prop | New Zealand | $1,500,000 |
| #288 |
Benjamin Lopas
Otago · WFR03626 |
Prop | New Zealand | $1,500,000 |
| #301 |
A-One Lolofie
Otago · WFR08399 |
Hooker | New Zealand | $1,550,000 |
| #334 |
Danyon Morgan-Puterangi
New England Free Jacks · WFR01212 |
Fullback | New Zealand | $2,500,000 |
| #344 |
Mark Nawaqanitawase
NSW Waratahs · WFR00107 |
Wing | Australia | $4,500,000 |
| #353 |
Mika Muliaina
Southland · WFR09307 |
First Five | New Zealand | $550,000 |
| #362 |
Fabian Holland
Otago · WFR05080 |
Lock | New Zealand | $1,500,000 |
| #370 |
Mitchell Dunshea
Highlanders · WFR02125 |
Lock | New Zealand | $2,000,000 |
| #378 |
Hugh Renton
Highlanders · WFR00416 |
Flanker | New Zealand | $3,500,000 |
| #386 |
Lucas Casey
Otago · WFR09156 |
Flanker | New Zealand | $550,000 |
| #398 |
Jordan Sepho
France 7s · WFR00633 |
Lock | France | $3,500,000 |
| #404 |
Jake Te Hiwi
Otago · WFR00431 |
Centre | New Zealand | $3,500,000 |
| #410 |
Michael Manson
Southland · WFR00477 |
Wing | New Zealand | $3,500,000 |
| #1093 |
Harry Godfrey
Hurricanes · WFR02748 |
First Five | New Zealand | $2,000,000 |
| #1094 |
Alex Palazzo
Palmerston North BHS · WFR07867 |
First Five | New Zealand | $550,000 |
| #1312 |
Wes Goosen
Edinburgh · WFR00193 |
Fullback | New Zealand | $3,000,000 |
| #1313 |
Abraham Pole
Harbour · WFR01662 |
Prop | New Zealand | $500,000 |
| #1314 |
Anthony Vaigafa
Wellington U20 · WFR23248 |
Scrumhalf | New Zealand | $100,000 |
| #1315 |
Aisea Fakataha
Harbour · WFR20428 |
Hooker | New Zealand | $100,000 |
| #1321 |
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Highlanders · WFR01779 |
Prop | New Zealand | $2,000,000 |
| #1323 |
Finn Hurley
Southland Metro U18 · WFR01246 |
Wing | New Zealand | $2,000,000 |
| #1324 |
Liam Coltman
Otago · WFR05938 |
Hooker | New Zealand | $1,500,000 |
| #1326 |
Shannon Frizell
Tasman · WFR01016 |
No.8 | New Zealand | $2,500,000 |
| #1327 |
Nic Shearer
Southland · WFR02142 |
Scrumhalf | New Zealand | $2,000,000 |
| #1328 |
Sione Talisa
American Raptors · WFR02270 |
No.8 | New Zealand | $3,500,000 |
| #1329 |
Josh Whaanga
Otago · WFR02009 |
Centre | New Zealand | $4,250,000 |