{"id":8988,"date":"2019-08-19T17:30:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T05:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=8988"},"modified":"2019-08-19T19:30:22","modified_gmt":"2019-08-19T07:30:22","slug":"new-zealand-heartland-xv-squad-named-for-pasifika-challenge-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2019\/08\/19\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-squad-named-for-pasifika-challenge-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Heartland XV squad named for Pasifika Challenge II"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Zealand Heartland XV squad named for Pasifika Challenge II<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All eyes will be on Heartland rugby next weekend with the New Zealand Heartland XV stepping onto the international stage, facing Rugby World Cup contenders Samoa at Eden Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

The match is the opening game of the Pasifika Challenge II, the double header also features Tonga v Fiji as part of their Rugby World Cup preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Zealand Heartland XV Coach Mark Rutene today named the squad to assemble for the match.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team is;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Forwards<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mark Atkins<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scott Cameron<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carl Carmichael<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Josh Clarke<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ralph Darling<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
James Goodger<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Campbell Hart<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Meli Kolinisau<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seta Koroitamana<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Glen McIntyre<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brett Ranga<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Troy Tauwhare<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adrian Wyrill<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backs<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Craig Clare<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sione Holani<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lindsay Horrocks<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Harry Lafiuanei<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
James Lash<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kalavini Leatigaga<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peni Nabainivalu<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Willie Paiaua<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Timoci Serawalu<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
William Wright<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Matt Fetu (South Canterbury)<\/em><\/td>\n is on stand by.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Ahead of their assembly in Auckland next week, Rutene said the players were excited with the challenge ahead of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOpportunities like this don\u2019t come around every day. We are calling this our Test match, it\u2019s the biggest game our Heartland team has played. It\u2019s against a passionate and proud international side and it\u2019s at Eden Park. Both teams can look forward to that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With the core of the squad from the 2018 campaign returning in 2019, Rutene said those connections will be key in next week\u2019s build up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely gives us some comfort that we have worked with a lot of the players before, so we should be able to hit the ground running.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s captain Alex Bradley has retired but Rutene notes there is plenty of experience in the team, namely Thames Valley captain Brett Ranga in the forwards and backline veterans James Lash and Craig Clare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Poverty Bay\u2019s Mark Atkins and Adrian Wyrill also bring first class experience, both having previously played Mitre 10 Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rutene said 32 players were named in a wider squad last month and he expects they have put in some hard work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that these players are coming off a diet of club rugby, they\u2019ll have one Heartland (Championship) match under their belt before facing international opposition, that\u2019s a big step up but one they are all looking forward to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rutene said motivation for the team was simple.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese guys are pulling on a black jersey. On top of that, Sir Brian Lochore passed away a few weeks ago and he was one of the greatest champions of heartland rugby. It will be about his legacy and we are hoping to put on a performance everyone can be proud of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Players will play for their provinces in round one of the Heartland Championship this weekend before assembling in Auckland next Monday 26 August.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pasifika Challenge II
\n<\/strong>New Zealand Heartland XV v Samoa<\/span>
\nSaturday 31 August kick off 2pm<\/span>
\nEden Park<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New Zealand Heartland XV squad named for Pasifika Challenge II All eyes will be on Heartland rugby next weekend with the New Zealand Heartland XV stepping onto the international stage, facing Rugby World Cup contenders Samoa at Eden Park. The match is the opening game of the Pasifika Challenge II, the double header also features…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"New Zealand Heartland XV squad named for Pasifika Challenge II\r\nhttps:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-2kY","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/news19sdsd.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-2kY","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9115,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2019\/08\/30\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-excited-for-samoan-challenge\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand Heartland XV excited for Samoan challenge","author":"admin_hland","date":"August 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand Heartland XV excited for Samoan challenge New Zealand Heartland XV Coach Mark Rutene has named his side to face Manu Samoa in their historic clash at Eden Park this weekend. The Pasifika Challenge II will see an international double header, with the New Zealand Heartland XV taking on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8737,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2019\/06\/12\/auckland-to-host-pasifika-rugby-double-header-at-eden-park-31-08-19\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":1},"title":"Auckland to host Pasifika rugby double-header at Eden Park 31.08.19","author":"admin_hland","date":"June 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Auckland to host Pasifika rugby double-header at Eden Park 31.08.19 The Pasifika Challenge returns to Eden Park this year for a blockbuster doubleheader in the event\u2019s second iteration \u2013 Pasifika Challenge II The Road to Japan Tonga (Ikale Tahi) will play Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, with Manu Samoa facing off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hldcvsdfg2019.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23021,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/10\/21\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-squad-announced-for-upcoming-tour\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":2},"title":"New Zealand Heartland XV squad announced for upcoming tour","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"October 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand Rugby is proud to announce the New Zealand Heartland XV squad selected to tour Samoa in November. The 27-man squad is made up of the best players from across the Bunnings Heartland Championship, with several of those playing over the weekend in the Meads Cup and Lochore Cup\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/566208519_1120820663501040_3341940577317098856_n.jpg?fit=843%2C526&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/566208519_1120820663501040_3341940577317098856_n.jpg?fit=843%2C526&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/566208519_1120820663501040_3341940577317098856_n.jpg?fit=843%2C526&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/566208519_1120820663501040_3341940577317098856_n.jpg?fit=843%2C526&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4904,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2016\/10\/26\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-2016-squad-named\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":3},"title":"New Zealand Heartland XV 2016 squad named","author":"admin_hland","date":"October 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby New Zealand Heartland XV 2016 squad named The New Zealand Heartland XV 2016 squad has been selected ahead of a three-match campaign starting in November, including two games in Fiji. The matches, to be played between 5\u201311 November, will see the team play New Zealand Marist for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3633,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2016\/07\/27\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-coaches-named\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":4},"title":"New Zealand Heartland XV coaches named","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby New Zealand Heartland XV coaches named South Canterbury Coach Barry Matthews has been appointed Head Coach of New Zealand Heartland XV today, and will be assisted by Poverty Bay Head Coach, Mutu Ngarimu. Matthews takes up his first campaign with the national team while Ngarimu returns for a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3187,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2015\/10\/21\/new-zealand-heartland-xv-squad-named\/","url_meta":{"origin":8988,"position":5},"title":"New Zealand Heartland XV squad named","author":"admin_hland","date":"October 21, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby New Zealand Heartland XV squad named The New Zealand Heartland XV squad for 2015 has been selected ahead of a three-match campaign starting in November. The matches, to be played at venues in the North Island between 7\u201313 November, will see the team first play New Zealand Marist\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Heartland Championship"","block_context":{"text":"Heartland Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/heartland-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/rhld_nzNews.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8988"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8989,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8988\/revisions\/8989"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}