Iron Armour Partnership Extends into New Zealand

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mon 20 Jul 2026, 11:14 AM

The South Sydney Rabbitohs' partnership with the Melbourne based Iron Armour Academy is continuing to grow, with the Club's push across the Tasman now taking in Auckland and Christchurch after a recent camp left Rabbitohs Head of Pathways, David Furner, impressed with the calibre of talent on show.

A Partnership Built on Development

Iron Armour began working with the Rabbitohs as a Victorian partnership in 2025, built around the mantra "Iron Sharpens Iron". Furner said the academy's focus has always been on development rather than results.

"Iron Armour is one of our partnership groups, which first started in Melbourne, and they still are," Furner said. "They've gone into New Zealand, they've put on some really good camps and games in Auckland at the start of the year, and now they're looking in Christchurch, which is the one I was recently involved with."

Furner said the value of the partnership lies in the access it gives the Club to a wider pool of talent. "They're all about giving athletes really good opportunities," Furner said. "The partnership for us is about having the chance to have a look at the talent that's there in New Zealand."

Christchurch Leaves an Impression

Furner travelled to both Auckland and Christchurch as part of his recent trip, and came away particularly impressed with the standard on display in Christchurch. "I was very impressed in both Auckland and Christchurch," Furner said. "Christchurch was very well run, and I was fortunate to stay there and watch two semi-finals in the Under 15s age bracket."

Furner pointed to the region's pedigree for producing elite talent as a drawcard for the Club. "Christchurch is one of the biggest areas where the All Blacks identify their top talent," Furner said. "Amongst all the kids there, girls and boys as well, they were very skilful with their catch and pass and their aggression in defence. The other notable asset is their athleticism and size"

Inside the Camp

Furner was on hand for a camp in Christchurch that brought together roughly 90 to 100 players aged 14 to 16, run across a full day of training. Players worked through stations covering defence before a lunch break, then moved on to attack. The day finished with a scrimmage between two teams from the 15s and 16s age group, playing two 20-minute halves. "It was good to have a look at the talent, because you're bringing in what they learned during the day and then seeing them physically in play," Furner said. "It was really good and there were a few players that stood out that we will be contacting for opportunities in our pathways."

Building the Production Line

Furner said the Rabbitohs are conscious of the need to widen the net beyond traditional junior pathways to keep unearthing talent for first grade. "We have a policy in our pathways where we develop our South Sydney locals first. However, we have to look outside the catchment area to unearth more talent for pathways and first-grade." Furner said.

Members and fans can look forward to seeing the fruits of the Iron Armour partnership develop, as the Rabbitohs continue to widen their search for talent across Victoria and New Zealand. Also, our successful parnership with Keebra Park High School and their top Queensland talent.