Blast from the past: 2010 Sharks original returns

Sixteen years on, a Southland Sharks original is set to make a surprise appearance back in the New Zealand Basketball League, this time playing against the Sharks.

American Rene Rougeau was part of the first-ever Southland Sharks team to take the court in the NZNBL in 2010.

He was a popular and important member of the Sharks’ foundation team, playing 19 games.

Despite the Sharks missing the playoffs in 2010, Rougeau was named the NZNBL All-Star Five in 2010 and still holds the Southland record for the most steals in a season at 70.

The now 40-year-old has been playing in Finland this season but linked with the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch last Sunday and now looks set to line up against his former team, the Southland Sharks, in Christchurch this Sunday.

Read more on The Southland Tribune