Three Horowhenua-Kāpiti rugby players have made the New Zealand Heartland XV rugby team for a three-match stint that includes international matches in the Pacific.
Jaxon Tagavaitau (Shannon), Himiona Henare (COB) and Willie Paia'aua (COB) have all been selected for the 26-man squad, while the NZ Heartland XV would be coached by Mark Rutene, who was also the Horowhenua-Kāpiti assistant coach this season.
The New Zealand Heartland XV would play three matches: their annual fixture against New Zealand Marist team for the McRae Cup, and two matches against Vanua XV in Fiji.
Rutene has selected 13 players that were involved in the Pasifika Challenge II match against Samoa in July, with 12 players in line for their Heartland XV debut.
He said the standard of Mitre 10 Heartland Championship had been impressive in 2019 and he was looking forward to assembling the squad.