NZ Heartland coaches ready for 2016 games

The New Zealand Heartland XV rugby squad is expected to be named this week, as the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship 2016 season comes to an end.

The Heartland team will play New Zealand Marist and Australian Barbarians. The team is coached by South Canterbury’s Barry Matthews and assistant coach is Poverty Bay’s Mutu Ngarimu.

Earlier, Matthews said he was excited about coaching a team that contributed so much to rugby in New Zealand.

‘‘I love coaching at all levels of the game but Heartland rugby is very special. The standard of Heartland rugby goes from strength to strength every year and more and more players are being picked up for Mitre 10 Cup and Investec Super Rugby. It shows how much talent we have in New Zealand.

‘‘It’s the goal of many Heartland players to make the New Zealand Heartland XV team and represent our country. I’m thrilled to be involved.’’

Ngarimu is a former captain of New Zealand Heartland XV (then New Zealand Divisional XV) having played for the team from 2002 to 2005.

He has also played for the Maori All Blacks, Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, Ngati Porou East Coast and was Assistant Coach for New Zealand Heartland XV in 2015.

‘‘These Heartland guys come together from all over New Zealand from working on farms, in factories and corporate offices. Many fit their training around their jobs and families, and they aspire to train and play like professionals.’’