Three Steelform Wanganui backs and one forward named in NZ Heartland squad

Flanker Cambell Hart joins three Steelform Whanganui backs named in the NZ Heartland squad to play Vanua and NZ Marist next week.

Four Whanganui reps have made the New Zealand Heartland squad to play Vanua and NZ Marist over the next fortnight.

Steelform Whanganui backs Craig Clare, Cameron Crowley and Peni Nabainivalu will be joined by flanker Campbell Hart in the 26-man squad announced on Wednesday.

The team features 10 players that will be taking the field in Mitre 10 Heartland Championship finals this weekend. Whanganui had three players in last year's line-up and that was after winning the Meads Cup. This season, of course, Steelform Whanganui was culled out of contention in the semifinal with Thames Valley last weekend.

Craig Scanlon steps up into the head coaching role after acting as Assistant Coach in 2017 and said it has been an extensive process in selecting the squad.

"We have people right across the country watching matches and players to get to this point and its exciting to see the group of players we have been able to select."

The squad is a balance of 16 new faces along with nine who played in the Heartland jersey in 2017.

The Heartland XV will play two matches early next month against Vanua XV from Fiji and the New Zealand Marist team.
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Match Schedule:
+ New Zealand Heartland XV v Vanua XV
Thursday 1 November, kick off 5pm
Owen Delany Park, Taupo
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+ New Zealand Heartland XV v NZ Marist XV
Sunday 4 November, kick off 2.30pm
Owen Delany Park, Taupo
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The New Zealand Heartland XV is;
Alex BradleyThames Valley
Scott CameronHorowhenua Kapiti
Carl CarmichaelKing Country
Dean ChurchKing Country
Craig ClareWanganui
Cam CrowleyWanganui
Ralph DarlingNorth Otago
James GoodgerWairarapa Bush
Campbell HartWanganui
Shaun HillThames Valley
Sione HolaniWest Coast
Meli KolinisauNorth Otago
Seta KoroitamanaMid Canterbury
Aaron LahmertHorowhenua Kapiti
James LashBuller
Simon LilicamaNorth Otago
Glen McIntyreThames Valley
Peni NabainivaluWanganui
Veikoso PoloniatiSouth Canterbury
Brett RangaThames Valley
Andrew StephensBuller
Nick StrachanSouth Canterbury
Troy TauwhareWest Coast
Alex ThruppKing Country
William WrightSouth Canterbury