IN THE MIX: Ngati Porou East Coast captain Hone Haerewa, in action against South Canterbury. A strong season has been rewarded with NZ Heartland team selection. Picture by Paul Rickard
IN THE MIX: Ngati Porou East Coast captain Hone Haerewa, in action against South Canterbury. A strong season has been rewarded with NZ Heartland team selection. Picture by Paul Rickard
FOUR local players have been selected in this year's NZ Heartland XV squad ahead of the only game of their campaign against the New Zealand Barbarians.
Ngati Porou East Coast captain and loose forward Hone Haerewa, first five-eighth Te Rangi Fraser and Poverty Bay loose forward Stefan Destounis were namedin the 23-strong travelling team, while NPEC halfback Sam Parkes has been selected as one of seven non-travelling reserves.
Former Poverty Bay midfielder and 2009 NZ Heartland XV representative Coll Campbell is also back in the fold after being selected as the team's doctor.
The team will be coached by South Canterbury's Nigel Walsh, who said he was excited to get stuck in to his first year in the role.
“It's a special moment and an honour and privilege to be involved in the team and represent that silver fern.”
The 2021 side will assemble in Taupo for a five-day camp ahead of their match with the Barbarians scheduled for December 5, Covid-19 alert-level dependent.
