New Zealand Heartland XV squad

[Steven Harris]

@Stargazer not too many names that stick out

Luatangi Li , Harbour and Northland loosehead prop
Matt Storm Marist and Auckland Dev Fullback
Ben Sau Rifles College & Auckland Dev number 8

Disappointing the Heartland team did not have a tour

[Stargazer]

@Steven-Harris Yeah, I don't recognise many names either.
Liam Bauckman is a lock and IIRC he was part of the Hastings Boys' squad that won the Top 4 in 2017. I think he was in the NZ Barbarians Schools' team, that year.
Ted Symes (Napier Pirates) is Kianu Kereru-Symes' (2nd?) cousin and he has played for NP East Coast years ago.
Karl Hewitt plays his club rugby for Taradale. I remember looking up months ago whether he was related to Norm, but I can't remember whether I found anything.

[Stargazer]

Totally forgot about this game. Here's a 25-minute-long highlights video:

[cgrant]

Fakatoufifita looks pretty impressive.

[Stargazer]

The Heartland XV will play in a two-match campaign against Canterbury Development on November 1 and the New Zealand Barbarians on November 4. Both matches will be streamed live on New Zealand Rugby.

The Canterbury Development and New Zealand Barbarians will announce their squads at a later date.

New Zealand Heartland XV 2023 squad named

[Machpants]

Not enough Bush in that, disgusting that they didn't include my mate Tana for the awesomeness of having his first first-class game at 43. I ache just thinking about that!

[Steven Harris]

@Stargazer
Tyler Kearns played for Northland in 2020, played 2 x games before moving back to the West Coast also Renata Roberts Te Nana who is Karl TeNana’s son played 13 games for Northland between 2018-2021
Has had a very solid season for Ngati Porou East Coast

It would be an interesting excersise to put together a best of all time team of players that have come out of heartland rugby and gone on to bigger things , eg NPC,Super or even All Black Rugby.

I can remember Asaeli Tikoirotuma playing for Whanganui before going on to play for Manawatu,Harbour,Chiefs and Fiji

It just highlights there is talent in the Hearland division,when given the opportunity , just needs a polish

I know James Lash first five played for Buller and Ta$man
Robbie Melneek for Nelson Bays and Ta$man
Brendon Laney,South Canterbury ,Otago ,Highlanders and Scotland.

Sitiveni Sivivatu did play for Counties Manukau when they were a 2nd Division side , but not sure if that counts

I reckon we could put a bloody good team together.

[Bovidae]

Waisake Naholo and Stephen Perofeta played for Whanganui before moving to Taranaki.

[Steven Harris]

@Bovidae wow, did’nt know that ,did Waikato and Chiefs number 8 Alex Bradley play for the Swap Foxes ..?

[Bovidae]

@Steven-Harris I'm not sure about Bradley. He was a Morrinsville Sports player when playing for Waikato. Graham Purvis definitely played for TV before moving to the Waikato, back in the amateur era. You can add Carl Hoeft to that list.

[mikedogz]

Richard Judd started out in Thames Valley.

[Steven Harris]

@mikedogz teams coming together ..

[Stargazer]

Ollie Sapsford played for Mid-Canterbury before moving north and Isaia Walker-Leawere played one game for Poverty Bay before moving to Wellington.

[Stargazer]

Marty Banks started at Buller.

[Stargazer]

The more I think about it, the more I remember.

Beaudein Waaka started in Poverty Bay.
Nehe Milner-Skudder has been all over the country and played one season for Ngāti Porou East Coast.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in New Zealand Heartland XV squad:

Beaudein Waaka started in Poverty Bay.

Both Gear brothers played for their home province Poverty Bay first, and then many more NPC teams.