In what he described as a thorough selection process, Walsh said he had been highly impressed by each of the players over the season.
“Every player listed stood out during the Heartland competition and I’ve got a good mix of experience across the board.
“I’m pleased to have Sam Briggs (South Canterbury first-five) and Dane Whale (Whanganui first-five) as part of the campaign. They will be key game drivers for our team,” Walsh said.
Whanganui No.8 Douglas Horrocks will join cousin and halfback Lindsay Horrocks who has made nine appearances in the Heartland XV jersey — the same as returning Whanganui veteran halfback William Wright.
“It’s invaluable to have Lindsay and William on board as they know what’s expected when we get into a camp like this,” Walsh said.
“They’re good leaders and have a lot of mana from players and coaches around them. They’ve been in and around the Heartland scene for a long time now and have proven their worth, which is why they’ve been selected.”
Nikora said it was a gruelling selection process and hard to choose only 23 players.
“It was a really tough team to make,” Nikora said. “Picking a high calibre of players across the 12 teams took a really thorough process.”
Speaking of Poverty Bay’s potential selections, Nikora said that midfield back Jacob Leaf and No.8 Stuart Leach only narrowly missed out.
“A couple of our other boys were in the conversation and Jacob Leaf is on standby for the squad.
“Stuart Leach was in the conversation right up until the last bit as well. It just came down to little things really — not a hell of a lot that they missed selection on.”
Nikora said he was happy to be part of a national team.
“It’s really exciting. I’m looking forward to working with the other coaches — Nigel Walsh and Jason Forrest from North Otago — and with a talented bunch of players.”
Ngāti Porou East Coast coach Kahu Tamatea felt some of his boys were unlucky not to be selected.
“Being a selector wouldn’t be an easy job,” Tamatea said. “To try and pick a squad from such a good talent pool as the Heartland comp — there’s going to be some very good players who miss out.
“A lot of my guys have played some very good footy but if the right person isn’t watching that game at that time then yeah, that’s unfortunate.”
The Heartland XV will play two matches. The first is against Canterbury Development on November 1 in Methven; the second is against the New Zealand Barbarians on November 4 in Oamaru.
• Both games will be streamed live through the New Zealand Rugby website.
New Zealand Heartland XV squad (*denotes debutant)
Adam Williamson (Mid Canterbury), Connor Anderson* (South Canterbury), Dane Whale (Whanganui), Douglas Horrocks* (Whanganui), Finlay Joyce* (South Canterbury), Fletcher Morgan* (Thames Valley), Joshua Clark (North Otago), Junior Fakatoufifita (North Otago), Kaleb Foote (King Country), Keanu Taumata* (Poverty Bay), Leopino Maupese* (Buller), Lindsay Horrocks (Whanganui), Paula Fifita (South Canterbury), Peceli Malanicagi* (Whanganui), Peter-Tavis Hay-Horton* (Whanganui), Renata Roberts-Te Nana* (East Coast), Saimone Samate (North Otago), Sam Briggs* (South Canterbury), Shayne Anderson* (West Coast), Tokoma’ata Fakatava (South Canterbury), Tyler Kearns (West Coast), Vaka Taelega (South Canterbury), William Wright (South Canterbury).
Management: Head coach, Nigel Walsh (South Canterbury); assistant coach Miah Nikora (Poverty Bay); manager, Thomas Zimmerman (Horowhenua-Kāpiti); observer coach: Jason Forrest (North Otago); physiotherapist Geoff Thompson (South Canterbury); trainer Slade King (Rotorua); doctor, Coll Campbell (Poverty Bay).
