Two return guests to The Roar this week. Cormac Buchanan opened his FIM JuniorGP World Championship campaign with a podium finish in the opening round in Italy. We went to Venice to relive a hectic race and just what it meant for the young Southlanders to see the New Zealand flag flying during a podium ceremony(16'39).

Meanwhile, half a world away, the Southland Boys High School 1st XV has departed, heading to Japan for the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament. Their Head Coach Jason Dermody talks us through the build up and the amazing experience ahead of his charges and their travelling party (33'00).

Before that, Logan & Nick cover off a busy week of news including Steve Mitchell's resignation as CEO of Rugby Southland, the future of Rugby Park, an improved Steel showing, the Sharks' 0-6 start to the NBL and Tori Peeters' Olympic dream being realised.

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Got a Southland sporting story or just some general banter to share? Email us at theroarpodcastnz@gmail.com and come back here every Wednesday for more from The Roar