New Zealand Heartland XV will be under the leadership of Nigel Walsh (South Canterbury) and Assistant Coach Miah Nikora (Poverty Bay) once again.
Walsh will make his fourth-straight appearance as Heartland XV Head Coach (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), following his success as the Head Coach for South Canterbury, having won the last three titles of the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship.
Nikora was appointed as Heartland XV Assistant Coach in 2023 following his previous role in the environment as coach observer in 2021. Since 2022, Nikora has been Head Coach of Poverty Bay.
Walsh said he is looking forward to working alongside Nikora for another campaign.
“Miah (Nikora) is a great person and coach, he brings a coaching style that is enjoyable to work with. We have a great coaching relationship that challenges and brings out the best of each other.
“We are preparing to deliver a good campaign for our Heartland XV players. The opportunity to work with and give new and existing players the platform to showcase their skills is an important step in their rugby career, and Heartland rugby means so much to all Heartland Provincial Unions across Aotearoa,” Walsh said.
Cooks Garden in Whanganui will host a two-match series for Heartland XV against New Zealand Māori Selection on October 29, followed by the New Zealand Barbarians on November 2.
The New Zealand Māori Selection are new opponents for Heartland XV. NZR Māori Rugby Development Manager Tiki Edwards said the occasion provides Māori to develop while representing their culture.
"Giving players who identify as Māori a chance to come into the environment and be proud of who they are and where they come from is the main priority for us. We want them to put their best foot forward and be inspired to hopefully become future Māori All Blacks or All Blacks,” Edwards said.
New Zealand Barbarians Club Captain Pete White said they are proud supporters of grassroots rugby and aim to give a quality match and opposition.
“We are currently assembling a mix of Super Rugby and Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship (NPC) coaches. We want players to make new friends, develop skills and gain an understanding of what Barbarian rugby is all about. This is also an awesome development opportunity for NPC players to be considered for higher honours,” White said.
The Heartland XV playing squad will be announced at a later date.
New Zealand Heartland XV Management 2024:
Head Coach: Nigel Walsh
Assistant Coach: Miah Nikora
Team Manager: Thomas Zimmerman
New Zealand Heartland XV Schedule (kick-off times to be confirmed)
Tuesday, October 29 | Cooks Garden, Whanganui
Heartland XV v New Zealand Māori Selection
Saturday, November 2 | Cooks Garden, Whanganui
Heartland XV v New Zealand Barbarians