Zimmerman lands Heartland role
Horowhenua-Kapiti might not have players in the New Zealand Heartland team announced yesterday, but it does have a representative on the management team.
Former blockbusting No 8 Tom Zimmerman, who in recent seasons has been the Horowhenua-Kapiti team manager, has again been named manager of the NZ Heartland XV for 2023.
Zimmerman, who was seconded to the NZ Heartland XV team in 2021 in an observer role, will manage the team on an internal tour that includes games against a Canterbury Development team and then a NZ Barbarian XV early next month.
The 37-year-old from Foxton played 17 games for HorowhenuaKapiti between 2015 and 2019 and joined the team management group on hanging up his boots.
He would have played more games but for two broken arms.
Meanwhile, South Canterbury with seven players is the province with the most representation in the team, followed by Whanganui (5), North Otago (3) and West Coast (2).
Thames Valley, King Country, Poverty Bay, Buller, East Coast and MidCanterbury have all had a player picked.
New Zealand Heartland XV squad 2023
Adam Williamson (Mid Canterbury), Connor Anderson (South Canterbury), Dane Whale (Whanganui), Douglas Horrocks (Whanganui), Finlay Joyce (South Canterbury), Fletcher Morgan (Thames Valley), Joshua Clark (North Otago), Junior Fakatoufifita (North Otago), Kaleb Foote (King Country), Keanu Taumata (Poverty Bay), Leopino Maupese (Buller), Lindsay Horrocks (Whanganui), Paula Fifita (South Canterbury), Peceli Malanicagi (Whanganui), Peter-Tavis Hay-Horton (Whanganui), Renata Roberts-Te Nana (East Coast), Saimone Samate (North Otago), Sam Briggs (South Canterbury), Shayne Anderson (West Coast), Tokoma’ata Fakatava (South Canterbury), Tyler Kearns (West Coast), Vaka Taelega (South Canterbury), William Wright (South Canterbury)