A quartet of South Canterbury rugby players have been selected in the Heartland Championship squad for three matches in New Zealand and Fiji later this month.

New Zealand Heartland XV coach Mark Rutene named 26 players with 14 of them taking the field in the championships finals matches this weekend.

Among the squad are South Canterbury's Miles Medlicott, Reegan O'Gorman, Nick Strachan and Willie Wright.

Rutene has selected 13 players that were involved in the Pasifika Challenge II match against Samoa in July, but there is no place for South Canterbury's Kalavini Leatigaga who come on as a substitute in that match.

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertise with Stuff

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.

Heartland XV's schedule:

November 2, v New Zealand Marist, Boyd Park, Te Aroha, 2pm.

November 6, v Vanua Fiji, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji, 7pm.

November 9, v Vanua Fiji, Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Fiji, 3pm.

The squad is: Carl Carmichael, Josh Clark, Ralph Darling, Anthony Ellis, Tristan Flutey, Hone Haerewa, Campbell Hart, Himiona Henare, Sione Holani, Tyler Kearns, Meli Kolinisau, Seta Koroitamana,  Miles Medlicott, Peni Nabainivalu, Reegan O'Gorman, Willie Paiaua, Patrick Pati, Tim Priest, Brett Ranga, Robbie Smith, Churlainn Sowerby, Nick Strachan, Jaxon Tagavaitau, Troy Tauwhare, Alex Thrupp, Willie Wright.

Article added: Thursday 24 October 2019