Cody Nordstrom moves from Waikato Rugby to King Country Rams for 2024 Heartland season

Waikato winger Cody Nordstrom of Waikato in action during the round two Bunnings Warehouse NPC match against Hawke's Bay at McLean Park, Napier. Photo / Getty

From a Mooloo man to a Ram - Te Awamutu Sports and 2023 Waikato Rugby back Cody Nordstrom, 21, has been named in the 27-man TLC King Country Rams squad for the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship.

The former Hamilton Boys’ High School first XV rep, who is originally from Taupō, has been lent from Waikato Rugby to their fellow Chiefs region province.

The Te Awamutu Sports player made his senior debut as a 17-year-old and famously scored four tries against Hamilton Old Boys.

“Hugely proud of Cody Nordstrom, who was selected in the King Country side to compete in this year’s Heartland Championship,” Te Awamutu Sports Rugby Club said on a Facebook post.

“Congratulations Cody.”

Nordstrom became Waikato #1246 in the August 16 match against Hawke’s Bay last year, scoring a try on debut as he played alongside four of his Te Awamutu Sports clubmates.

The versatile utility back was called into the 2024 Gallagher Chiefs side as a pre-season replacement and also trained with the franchise last year on a National Development Contract.

He has donned the black New Zealand jersey at various levels including Under-19 and Under-20.

Nordstrom will be joined in the King Country squad by two other Waikato Club Rugby reps in University pivot Patrick Hedley (player of origin) and Hamilton Marist lock (loan player) while former Melville prop Dennis Andrews-Peters has been selected again out of Taumarunui Districts.

“It is our pleasure to announce the TLC King Country Rams 27-man squad for the 2024 Heartland Championship,” a King Country Rugby Facebook post said.

“Congratulations men, and all the best as you prepare for round one.”

First up for the Rams is Mid Canterbury on August 17 at Taumarunui Domain.

They’ll be raring to go with two warm-up matches already under their belts - a 43-18 victory over Thames Valley at FMG Stadium Waikato in May and an unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge last month where Hawke’s Bay won 57-7 in Hastings.

2024 King Country squad

• Dennis Andrews-Peters (Taumarunui Districts)
• Mosese Barivilala (Taupō Marist)
• Baven Brown Jnr (Waitete)
• Carey Cornelius-Peina (Tongariro United)
• Cruise Dunster (Tongariro United)
• Karney Dunster (Tongariro United)
• Maximus Dunster (Tongariro United)
• Anaru Etana (Taumarunui Districts)
• Kaleb Foote (Piopio)
• Oliver Foote (Piopio)
• Leveson Gower (Taumarunui Districts)
• Styris Harland (Taumarunui Districts)
• Patrick Hedley (Player of Origin - Waikato University)
• Hiwawa Kahu (Taumarunui Districts)
• Alan Kingan (Taumarunui Districts)
• Josevata Malimole (Taupō Marist)
• Ben Moffitt (Taumarunui Districts)
• Cody Nordstrom (Loan - Te Awamutu Sports)
• Dion Petersen (Taumarunui Districts)
• Kieron Rollinson (Taupō Sports)
• Liam Rowlands (Taupō Sports)
• Tom Ryan (Taupō Marist)
• Kristian Standen (Taupō Marist)
• Toby Tukaki (Tongariro United)
• Sisa Vosaki (Taupō Sports)
• Zac Wickham-Darlington (Bush United)
• Eli Winders (Loan - Hamilton Marist)

Management

• Head coach: Aarin Dunster
• Coaches: Gene Waller and Ben Draper
• Manager: Ben Sherriff
• Physio: Bronwyn Prestage

Injured or unavailable players

• Nick Barnes (Taupō Sports)
• Lachlan Foote (Piopio)
• Charlie Henare (Tongariro United)
• Viliame Nacama (Taumarunui Districts)
• Brandon Pakome (Taupō Sports)
• Logan Patterson (Taupō Marist)
• Cam Robinson (Taupō Sports)
• Reeve Satherley (Taupō Marist)

Jesse Wood is a multimedia journalist based in Te Awamutu. He joined the Te Awamutu Courier and NZME in 2020.