It was a tough start for the NZ Heartland XV at the Jock Hobbs Under 19 national tournament in Taupo yesterday.
Getting together only just before the tournament, Heartland lost narrowly to Tasman 20-17 in the mid afternoon match.
Wanganui's Hamish Bennett started at lock and had an excellent match,thoroughly impressing former All Black lock Ian Jones on the Sky TV commentary, while Ethan Robinson was at second-five.
The other locals in the squad are hooker Todd Parkinson, fullback Jessy Kemp and props Dylan Gallien and Gabriel Hakaraia.
Heartland struck first as powerful Wairarapa Bush winger Peni Rokoduguni scored the first of his two tries, before Tasman rocked out to a good lead, scoring individual tries through good runs.
The Heartland side struck back before halftime when Mid Canterbury halfback Tyler Blackburn went himself from a 10m scrum to close the gap to 17-12 at halftime.
In the second half, both team's made breaks and had chances to score, before Tasman got a penalty and extended themselves to 20-12 with 11 minutes left in the 70 minute match.
But Heartland weren't done as Bennett made a great offload to Rokoduguni, who put on the fend and the step to power through and narrow the gap with five minutes left.
