Players rewarded with New Zealand Heartland XV selection
New Zealand Heartland XV Coach Mark Rutene has named 25 players for a three-match programme taking place next month.
The team features five players from Chiefs Country who have been playing for Thames Valley and King Country during the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship.
The New Zealand Heartland XV is;
Carl Carmichael King Country
Josh Clark North Otago
Ralph Darling North Otago
Anthony Ellis Buller
Tristan Flutey Wairarapa Bush
Hone Haerewa East Coast
Campbell Hart Wanganui
Himiona Henare Horowhenua Kapiti
Sione Holani West Coast
Tyler Kearns West Coast
Meli Kolinisau North Otago
Seta Koroitamana Mid Canterbury
Miles Medlicott South Canterbury
Peni Nabainivalu Wanganui
Regan O'Gorman South Canterbury
Willie Paia'aua Horowhenua Kapiti
Patrick Pati North Otago
Tim Priest Wairarapa Bush
Brett Ranga Thames Valley
Robbie Smith North Otago
Churlainn Sowerby King Country
Nick Strachan South Canterbury
Jaxon Tagavaitau Horowhenua Kapiti
Troy Tauwhare West Coast
Alex Thrupp King Country
Willie Wright South Canterbury
Head Coach Mark Rutene has selected 13 players that were involved in the Pasifika Challenge II match against Samoa in July, with 12 players in line for their Heartland XV debut.
Rutene said the standard of Mitre 10 Heartland Championship had been impressive in 2019 and he was looking forward to assembling this team.
“We have a really good balance of players who will be new to the team and those who have been involved in past campaigns. It is great to be able to reward players who have performed well in their provincial colours over the past few months, I’m sure they are excited about the opportunity to wear the black jersey and represent their families and Unions,” said Rutene.
The New Zealand Heartland XV will play three matches; their annual fixture against New Zealand Marist team for the McRae Cup along with two matches against Vanua XV in Fiji.
Rutene said the goal will be to get the players to connect in a short space of time so that they can come together on the field.
“We know we have the best players from across the Heartland Unions coming together, so there is no lack of skill or talent, the key is getting them all on the same page with how we want to play so we can put out three good performances,” said Rutene.
New Zealand Heartland XV match schedule
Saturday 2 November, kick off 2pm
New Zealand Heartland XV v New Zealand Marist
Boyd Park, Te Aroha
Wednesday 6 November, kick off 7pm
New Zealand Heartland XV v Vanua Fiji
Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
Saturday 9 November, kick off 3pm
NZ Heartland XV v Vanua Fiji
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Fiji
