Kiwi parents proudly cheer on their son — playing for England
Deep in rugby-mad Crusaders country a lone St George’s Cross flies outside the Heinz family home.
For the past four weeks proud Kiwis Bob and Jane Heinz have been embracing the England rugby team – which includes their Canterburyborn son Willi — as they follow the side’s path to tonight’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against the All Blacks.
“You should see my letterbox, mate. It has the biggest red and white flag you have ever seen hanging off of it,” Willi’s mum, Jane, told the Weekend Herald.
“We are definitely supporting England.
It’s England all the way.”
Heinz will start on the bench for England tonight, more than four years after ending his childhood dream of playing for the All Blacks by signing for UK club Gloucester.
The 32-year-old qualifies for England through his English-born grandmother Aylieff.
He was first earmarked for England honours in 2017 after being named in a training squad by national coach Eddie Jones.
The halfback made his test debut again Wales in August, also being given responsibility as vice-captain. He has earned another four caps at the World Cup.
Heinz’s journey to wearing the red rose across his chest came after he made the heartwrenching decision to end his childhood dream of playing for the All Blacks, aged 28.
“It was so competitive and so many good players around,” his father, Bob, said of the decision to chase international honours with England. “You sort of have to wait your turn, but you can’t wait around forever. We are thrilled for him.”
Heinz’s path to the No 1 halfback spot at the Crusaders was blocked by All Black halfback Andy Ellis. His lack of exposure at Super Rugby level meant he was well down in the pecking order for AB contenders.
Instead, he, wife Sophie and their three children travelled to the birth country of his beloved grandmother.
“He had gone as far as he could here and England was always huge in our family,” Jane said.
“It’s where Mum had come from. Dad had picked her up over there during the war, married her and brought her back here.”
On the eve of making his test debut against Wales in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, Heinz paid tribute to her, telling reporters: “I was always really close with her.
“She was an avid sports fan and a very proud Englishwoman.
“I know she would be hugely proud of me getting this chance.”
Jane said the entire Heinz family were “proud and thrilled” for Willi.
Jane will be in the stands at International Stadium Yokohama tonight, along with one of Heinz’s sisters, Francesca, to watch England take on the All Blacks.
“We encouraged him 100 per cent [to play for England].”