Final two players for New Zealand Heartland XV squad named

Final two players for New Zealand Heartland XV squad named

Mid Canterbury lock Malcolm Cairns and Wanganui fullback Aseli Tikoirotuma have been added to the New Zealand Heartland XV squad after completing travel documentation requirements and will fly out with the squad tonight.

The squad to tour the United States will be captained by Wairarapa Bush hooker Joe Harwood, coached by former Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti coach Peter Kemp, assisted by Wanganui head coach Guy Lennox, and will be managed by Crusaders manager Tony Thorpe.

New Zealand Heartland XV squad: Michael Broadhurst (Poverty Bay)*, Malcolm Cairns (Mid Canterbury)*, Coll Campbell (Poverty Bay)*, Brenton Connell (Mid Canterbury), Cameron Crowley (Wanganui)*, Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury), Daniel Dwyer (Mid Canterbury)*, Michael Fitzgerald (Wanganui)*, Andrew Gadsby (West Coast)*, Matthew Gilbert (Wanganui)*, Jason Gill (Mid Canterbury), Ross Hay (North Otago), Joseph Harwood (Wairarapa Bush, Captain), Scott Leighton (Poverty Bay), Hamish McKenzie (North Otago), Leon Mason (Wanganui), Kevin Moore (Buller)*, Hayden Rasmussen (Thames Valley), Jason Rickard (Mid Canterbury)*, Corey Simpson (West Coast)*, Eric Smith (South Canterbury), Andrew Stephens (Buller)*, Aseli Tikoirotuma (Wanganui)*, Lasa Ulukuta (West Coast)*.

* Denotes first time selected for Heartland XV

Schedule of matches:

2 November: Heartland XV v Pacific Coast Grizzlies, Rocca Field, Treasure Island, San Francisco at 3:00pm (12.00pm Sunday NZT)

8 November: Heartland XV v USA Select XV, Real Salt Lake Stadium, Salt Lake City at 1:15pm (9.15pm Sunday NZT)

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