New Zealand Heartland XV ready for final hit out

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The New Zealand Heartland XV line up for their last match of the year today against the Vanua XV in Fiji.

After a tense 12-7 win over their rivals earlier in the week, Coach Mark Rutene has made six changes to the starting line up for today’s match.



The New Zealand Heartland XV is;

 

1

Ralph Darling

North Otago

2

Anthony Ellis

Buller

3

Tyler Kearns

West Coast

4

Campbell Hart

Wanganui

5

Sam Liebezeit

West Coast

6

Hone Haerewa

East Coast

7

Nathan Kendrick

Horowhenua Kapiti

8

Brett Ranga - captain

Thames Valley

9

Robbie Smith

North Otago

10

Tim Priest

Wairarapa Bush

11

Patrick Pati

North Otago

12

Sione Holani

West Coast

13

Peni Nabainivalu

Wanganui

14

Willie Paia'aua

Horowhenua Kapiti

15

Himiona Henare

Horowhenua Kapiti
     

16

Troy Tauwhare

West Coast

17

Meli Kolinisau

North Otago

18

Carl Carmichael

King Country

19

Churlainn Mabbett-Sowerby

King Country

20

Seta Koroitamana

Mid Canterbury

21

Willie Wright

South Canterbury

22

Sione Tagavaitau

Horowhenua Kapiti

23

Alex Thrupp

King Country

 

Captain Brett Ranga again pulls on the number eight jersey and is flanked by Nathan Kendrick and Hone Haerewa, the latter who scored the opening try in Wednesday’s match.



Sione Holani is promoted from the bench to form an experienced midfield pairing with Peni Nabainivalu.



Robbie Smith and Tim Priest combine at halfback and first five-eighths after playing off the bench on Wednesday.



Today's match is the last on the New Zealand Heartland XV schedule for 2019, which saw a historic match against Samoa at Eden Park in the Pasifika Challenge II in July.



Last week the team played their annual fixture against NZ Marist, going down 19-29 against an experience Marist team.


 

New Zealand Heartland XV match schedule
Saturday 2 November, kick off 2pm
New Zealand Heartland XV v New Zealand Marist – LOSS 19-29
Boyd Park, Te Aroha



Wednesday 6 November, kick off 7pm
New Zealand Heartland XV v Vanua Fiji - WIN 12-7
Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji



Saturday 9 November, kick off 3pm
NZ Heartland XV v Vanua Fiji
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Fiji

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