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Robby Turnbull is part of Phase Three Academy of Golf NZ. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Golf New Zealand has announced selections and re-selections for Phase Two, Three and Four of its 2025-26 Talent Development Programme. The programme's purpose is to support the development of talented young New Zealanders who aspire to reach their full potential. LATEST HEADLINES: Ko, Fox back, Moore win major junior title Routliffe loss, win Roland Garros tennis Mystics wary of round four Tactix clash Harrison named Heartland XV coach Auckland FC dominate Team of Season Phase Two of the programme supports emerging young players who are aged under 19 and who have the potential and motivation to continue to develop their game. The following players have been selected for the 2025/26 Development Squad cycle: Girls: :Yoonae Jeong (Otago), Queenie Lang (Auckland), Sophie Yu (Harbour), Teresa Wang (Harbour), Cherry Lee (Auckland), Sarah Li (Harbour), Boys: :Ricky Kang (Otago), Isaac Steel (Waikato), Ryan Xie (Auckland), William Dunsmore (Manawatu Wanganui), Ishaan Shah (Auckland), Kevin Bang (Bay of Plenty). Golf New Zealand’s Talent Development Manager, Liz McKinnon, said she is excited to be supporting this group. “Most recently Phase Two of the programme has been quite fluid, with various players at this level being provided camps and international traveling opportunities. This year we have formalised the squad so we can work with them more closely throughout the year. “They are a young and highly motivated group who are wanting to learn and develop their game. We look forward to working with them.” The Golf New Zealand Academy, Phase Three and Four of the Talent Development Programme, welcomes several newly selected players while continuing to support returning members. Phase Three of the academy sees Yuki Miya (Canterbury), Brodie Ferguson (Taranaki) and Chloe So (Auckland) invited into the programme. They will join the reselected group of Cooper Moore (Canterbury), Robby Turnbull (Auckland), Mitch Kale (Bay of Plenty) Jack Van Prehn (Taranaki), Emma Zheng (Auckland), Juwon Kim (Harbour). Golf New Zealand High Performance Manager, Gregg Thorpe, said he was looking forward to watching the new members take their opportunity in the Golf New Zealand Academy. “It’s great to see Miya, Ferguson and So come into Phase Three, the Golf NZ Academy. They are three talented young players who are working hard, and we believe have the potential to make the most of this opportunity.” Kale and Van Prehn, who have recently been absent from competitive play due to injury, remain part of the programme under medical extensions. Josh Bai leaves the programme for now to take up a scholarship at the University of Florida. Golf New Zealand is also continuing support for Fiona Xu, Sam Jones, and Kazuma Kobori in Phase Four of the programme. These players have shown exceptional promise as they have transitioned into the early stages of their professional careers. Thorpe said it was pleasing to see the career progression of talented athletes. “It's been great to see the progression of our early-stage professionals through the programme phases and as New Zealand amateur representatives. “They have progressed their games and their tour statuses well and are all working toward cementing their positions on their respective tours”.

Winni Goldsbury in action in Loudenvielle. PHOTO: Specialized New Zealand’s flying teens made their mark in the latest rounds of the UCI MTB World Series for Enduro and Downhill in the French Pyrenees resort of Loudenvielle-Peyragudes today. Christchurch 18-year-old Winnie Goldsbury scored her first podium, finishing third in the latest round of the Enduro World Series in her first season in elite competition. LATEST HEADLINES: Blues make Super Rugby playoffs Tactix thrash Mystics Premiership Ko top-40, HIllier top-10, Fox top-20 Crusaders score late win v Brumbies Hobbs 2nd World Athletics meet Poland Across the mountain resort, a bunch of kiwi gravity riders have qualified in the top 10 ahead of tomorrow’s finals in the second round of downhill competition. They were led by two-time junior world championship medallist Sacha Earnest, 19, who was 10th fastest in qualifying in just her second start as an elite rider for her new Trek Factory pro team. This earned her a direct start in tomorrow’s final on the exciting downhill track. There are a further six kiwi teenagers to qualify inside the fastest 10 riders in their junior downhill qualifying. Leading the way is Tauranga 17-year-old Eliana Hulsebosch (Santa Cruz) who was top qualifier in the junior women’s competition by nearly two seconds. She will be joined by Rotorua 17-year-old Bellah Birchall (Team High Road), who qualified fourth fastest with Queenstown’s Indy Deavoll 16, who was eighth fastest. In the junior men’s qualifying, Kaikoura 18-year-old, Oli Clark (MS Racing) was second fastest with a brilliant run to be less than a second behind the top qualifier, Frenchman Till Alran from France. Also inside the top 20 in qualifying were four more kiwi downhillers with Hawkes Bay’s Tyler Waite (18) from the Yeti Fox pro team fifth fastest. Other kiwis comprise 16-year-old Jonty Williamson (Palmerston North) from the Yeti Fox Factory team in sixth fastest followed by two Queenstown riders in 18-year-old Rory Meek seventh fastest and 16-year-old Malik Boatwright (Team High Country) 13th fastest. The ”old man” of the kiwi contingent flying fast in Loudenvielle in qualifying was Rotorua’s Tuhoto Ariki Pene, 24, who qualified for the finals in the elite men. After missing out in the first qualifying session, the MS Racing professional produced a stunning ride of 3:17.313, up with the fastest of the day to top the second qualifying session. He was among the fastest 10 in the second qualifying to move through to tomorrow’s final, along with Canterbury’s Luke Wayman, 18, (Continental Atherton pro team) managing seventh fastest. However Rotorua’s Lachlan Stevens-McNab who was exceptionally fast on the open section, made a mistake in the tight second part of the course. Goldsbury, 18, earned a breakthrough performance in the elite women’s Enduro competition, in just her third start this season. She was super-fast throughout the competition, third after the opening stage, seventh in the second, fifth in the third, third in the penultimate stage and second fastest in the final stage. She finished just 0.40s from second placed Morgan Charre (France) with series leader Ella Conolly (GBR) winning by 26 seconds, and jumps to seventh overall in the standings after three rounds. Nelson rider George Swift (Yeti Fox) was seventh today to be ninth overall. Australian Daniel Booker took out the elite men’s competition with kiwi Charles Murray (Specialized Gravity) finishing eighth overall ahead of fellow kiwis Joe Millington, the Yeti Development NZ rider from Rotorua, who was 11th after finishing third fastest and second fastest in the last two stages. Murray moved up one spot to seventh In the overall standings with riders moving on to the famed Austrian venue of Leogang for the fourth round next weekend. Results: Downhill qualifying: Male, Elite, qualifying 1 (Top 20 to qualify): Amaury Pierron (FRA) 3:17.142, 1; Loic Bruni (FRA) at 0.154s, 2; Loris Vergier (FRA) at 0.244, 3. Leading NZers: Lachlan Stevens-McNab at 4.299s, 24; Sam Gale at 5.360, 35; Luke Wayman at 9.382, 57. Qualifying 2 (top 10 to qualify): Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL, MS Racing) 3:17.313, 1; Antoine Rogge (FRA) at 0.283, 2; Simon Chaplet (FRA) 1.179, 3. Other NZers to qualify: Luke Waymen (Continental Atherton) at 2.444, 7. Other NZers: Sam Gale at 3.970s, 16; Toby Meek at 11.909, 44; Lachlan Stevens-McNab at 18.366, 51; Nico Arnold dnf; Angus Ferguson dnf. Female, Elite: Myriam Nicole (FRA) 3:42.776, 1; Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) at 0.208, 2; Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) at 0.725, 3. Leading NZers: Sacha Earnest at 7.895, 10; Jess Blewitt at 12.856, 16; Female Junior (Top 10 to qualify): Eliana Hulsebosch (NZL, Trek Factory) 3:50.773, 1; Rosa Zierl (AUT) at 1.798, 2; Aletha Ostgaard (RSA) at 5.704, 3. Also NZers: Bellah Birchall (High Country) at 5.824, 4; Indy Deavoll at 18.527, 8. Male Junior: Till Alran (FRA) 3:17.885, 1; Oli Clark (NZL, MS Racing) at 0.884, 2; Max Alran (FRA) at 1.194, 3. Other NZers to qualify: Tyler Waite (Yeti Fox) at 5.881, 5; Jonty Williamson (Yeti Fox) at 7.765, 6; Rory Meek (Queenstown) at 8.186, 7; Malik Boatwright (Queenstown, Team High Country) at 10.020, 13. Enduro elite men: Daniel Booker (AUS) 22:20.157, 1; Alex Rudeau (FRA) at 10.640, 2; Stawomir Lukasik (POL) at 17.725, 3. Also NZers: Charles Murray (Specialized Gravity) at 33.353, 8; Joe Millington at 38.371, 11; Matthew Walker (Pivot Factory) at 39.664, 14; Edward Masters (Pivot Factory) at 1:21.628, 33; Lachie Ross at 1:31.044, 37. Elite Women: Ella Conolly (GBR) 25:22.107, 1; Morgane Charre (FRA) at 26.02, 2; Winni Goldsbury (NZL, Specialised Gravity) at 26.40, 3. Also NZers: George Swift (Yeti Fox) at 27.25, 7.

Lydia Ko has remained inside the top 30 at the US Open. PHOTO: USGA Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko is tied 27th after the completion of the third round at the Women's US Open in Wisconsin where she carded a 73. Ko sits at one-over for the tournament, eight shots back from the lead held by Sweden's Maja Stark after the kiwi had four bogeys and three birdies in her round. LATEST HEADLINES: Football Ferns lose to Venezuela friendly Winnie Goldsbury leads Kiwi UCI MTB team Blues make Super Rugby Pacific playoffs Tactix thrash Mystics in ANZ Premiership Ko top-40, Hillier top-10, Fox top-20 Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox is tied 15th at The Memorial in Ohio. Fox has been consistent all tournament with 72, 72 and 73 to be one-over after a round featuring five bogeys and four birdies. The leader at the tournament at eight-under is American Scottie Scheffler at eight-under. At the Austrian Open on the DP World Tour, Daniel Hillier went backwards in his third round to be tied 14th at seven-under. Hillier has had rounds of 66, 67 and 70 and has some work to do to catch leader Marcel Schneider of Germany at 15-under

Lydia Ko (left and two-time champions Yuka Saso talk as they walk the 10th hole at the US Open PHOTO: LOGAN WHITTON/USGA New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has finished her second round at even par tied 37th at the US Open in Wisconsin. Ko started her round with disaster in her first few holes. She bogeyed the first and fourth before a birdie on the seventh and bogey on the eighth. LATEST HEADLINES: Crusaders score late win v Brumbies Hobbs 2nd World Athletics meet Poland Chiefs ease to minor premiership win Golf NZ select players for talent phases Ko, Fox back, Moore win major junior title Routliffe loss, win Roland Garros tennis In the back nine she reeled off birdies on the 10th and 11th before a birdie on the 15th to card at 71. Ko is eighth shots back from the leader Mao Saigo of Japan. Meanwhile on the DP World Tour in Austria Daniel Hillier is tied fourth at seven-under four shots from the lead. Hillier carded a second round 67 to go with his opening 66. His second round featured five birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey and an eagle on the 18th. On the PGA Tour in Dublin, Ohio Ryan Fox is tied 12th at even par after consecutive rounds of 72. Fox hit four bogeys and four birdies in his second round and sits seven shots behind the joint leaders Nick Taylor (Canada) and Ben Griffin (United States).

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored a double for the Warriors in their win over the Rabbitohs PHOTO: NRL The NZ Warriors have held off the South Sydney Rabbitohs for a 36-30 win to return to possibly temporary second place on the NRL ladder For the Warriors the experienced heads of Kurt Capewell and Roger Tuivsa-Sheck stood up the later scoring two second half tries. LATEST HEADLINES: Pulse storm to big win over Steel Big finishes needed for Kiwi golfers Football Ferns lose to Venezuela Goldsbury leads Kiwi UCI MTB team Blues make Super Rugby playoffs The Warriors led 14-12 after halftime after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak opened the scoring three minutes in followed by Rocco Berry and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. For the Rabbitohs win Alex Johnstong scored three tries, one in the first half and two in the second for 200 career tries. However the try of the game came in the 50 minute as Luke Metcalf sold a dummy from inside his 20 and took off. He outpaced everyone to eventually dot down and although he couldn't convert it took the score to 24-12. A Latrell Mitchell try in the 75th minute gave the Warriors a few nerves as they had to hold off a few more attacks from the Rabbitohs A big worry for thw Warriors is the loss of co-captain Mitchell Barnett who left the field in the 22nd minute with a knee injury. The Warriors move up to 20 points on the NRL ladder, two behind the Bulldogs and two ahead of the Storm and the Raiders who were playing the Roosters late on Sunday night. NZ Warriors 36 ( Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad; Leka Halasima, Luke Metcalf tries; Luke Metcalf 4 con) South Sydney 30 (Alex Johnston 3, Keoan Kolomatangi, Latrell Mitchell tries; Latrell Mitchell 5 con). HT: 14-12

Milly Clegg was in the starting lineup for the Footall Ferns against Venuezuela PHOTO: HALIFAX TIDES FC The New Zealand Football Ferns have been beaten 3-1 by Venezuela in the friendly match in Spain. The Ferns lineup had plenty of experience across the part with Annalie Longo captain and Claudia Bunge while Maya Hahn was gaining more experience as was teenager Milly Clegg. LATEST HEADLINES: Goldsbury leads Kiwi UCI MTB team Blues make Super Rugby playoffs Tactix thrash Mystics Premiership Ko top-40, HIllier top-10, Fox top-20 Crusaders score late win v Brumbies Jacqui Hand, Ally Green and Betsy Hassett all started on the bench. Midfielder Katie Kitching scored in the 38th minute for the New Zealanders to equal the scores, however the South American added another goal just before halftime and then again late in the match. Ferns coach Michael Mayne disappointed with the result "There were a couple of key areas we let ourselves down in which we need to sort out before the next game," said Mayne who has recently been appointed full time coach of the side. The two sides face each other again on Wednesday morning. New Zealand are ranked 32nd in the FIFA women's rankings, Venezuela 51st.

Peter Umaga-jensen scored a couple of tries for the Hurricanes in their win over Moana Pasifika PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The Blues have secured sixth place and a finals sport in 2025 after they thrashed the Waratahs 46-6 at Eden Park and then saw the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika 64-12. Firstly the champion Blues ran in seven tries to none with sabbatical-bound All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane scoring a hat-trick and departing wing Mark Tele'a grabbing a couple in an all-round team effort. LATEST HEADLINES: Tactix thrash Mystics Premiership Ko top-40, HIllier top-10, Fox top-20 Crusaders score late win v Brumbies Hobbs 2nd World Athletics meet Poland Chiefs ease to minor premiership win The Waratahs never looked like competing other than the first 10 minutes before Tele'a cross for the first time. After that it was all Blues including leading 24-6 at halftime and keeping the visitors from crossing the tryline. Of note was the tackling of AJ Lam at second five who was up on the opposition quickly before cutting them down for most of the match. For Moana Pasifika there was no happy ending in Ardie Savea's return to Wellington, althoiugh he did score a try on his old ground. The Hurricanes dealt Moana Pasifika never letting the side into the match or near the required five point win needed to seal a playoffs spot. Peter UmagaJensen scored two of the 10 tries as Hurricanes secured fourth spot in the playoffs starting with the Chiefs at the top, then Crusaders, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Reds and Blues. Hurricanes 64 (Peter Umaga-Jensen 2 tries, Jacob Deverey, Devan Flanders,Cam Roigard , Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Billy Proctor, Ere Enari, Tjay Clarke tries; Ruben Love 7 con) Moana Pasifika 12 (Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Ardie Savea tries; Patrick Pellegrini con). HT: 28-7. Blues 46 (Rieko Ioane 3 tries, Mark Tele'a 2 tries’, Corey Evans, Ricky Riccitelli tries; Beauden Barrett 4 con, Harry Plummer pen) Waratahs 6 (Jack Bowen 2 pen). HT: 24-6..

Karin Berger was a key defensive player in the Tactix win over the Mystics PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY/NETBALL NZ An initial quarter slip before three quarters of dominance for the Tactix as they beat the Northern Mystics 61-50 in Rangiora. The Tactix excelled across all areas of the court with 1.96m shooter Ellie Bird a dominant force after returning a perfect 50 from 50 under the hoop. LATEST HEADLINES: Ko top-40, HIllier top-10, Fox top-20 Crusaders score late win v Brumbies Hobbs 2nd World Athletics meet Poland Chiefs ease to minor premiership win Golf NZ select players for talent phases She was given quality support from the midcourt duo of Erikana Pedersen and Holly Mather while the defensive end, particularly the in-circle pairing of Jane Watson and Karin Burger were at their menacing and relentless best through a suffocating and tireless presence. The result elevated the Tactix to the top of the table, dethroning the defending champions who, despite being in the race for three-quarters of the match, struggled to gel at the attacking end after being without injured strike weapon Donnell Wallam under the hoop. Coming into the final quarter with a four-goal lead, the Tactix made no race of it down the home straight, composure, efficiency with ball in hand and ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over taking the wind out of the Mystics sails. A Te Paea Selby-Rickit super shot, the Tactix only success from range during the match, putting a definitive stake in ground of the home side’s dominance. While opposing shooter Filda Vui was successful with six super shots, the Mystics were outplayed on the day. It was a mixed start from each side with both sets of defences playing prominent roles in providing turnover opportunities before the Tactix got their noses in front. Playmaking goal attack Selby-Rickit provided clever passing options in getting the ball into Bird’s hand for the Tactix while the Mystics required more patience in settling into a new attacking front line. Long-range shooting specialist Vui nailed a crucial super shot to haul the Mystics back to level teams before nudging in front and taking a slim 13-12 into the first break. The home lifted their defensive intensity a notch or two on the resumption with experienced duo Burger and Watson restricting the Mystics ball into the shooters. They were well-supported by centre Mather, who delivered a handy flow of pin-point long -range feeds into Bird while also popping up effectively on defence. The tactics eventually broke the shackles with the homes side pushing out to a six-goal lead. Marvels National Netball League player Sophia Lafaiali’I was injected for the Mystics at goal shoot with six minutes to go while captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson followed from the bench shortly after. With no need to take super shots, Bird continued to play a strong hand under the Tactix hoop, but Vui and Lafaiali’i helped the side reduce the deficit with one apiece to bring the Mystics right back into the frame, the home side taking a 30-28 lead into the main break. The Tactix made the best of starts to open the third stanza scoring with a quickfire five goals without response to build a handy seven-goal buffer while the relentless Watson and Burger combination, assisted by gritty wing defence Paris Lokotui, suffocated the Mystics while drawing errors on attack. Adding extra height, Charlotte Manley was injected at goalkeeper for the visitors, who made some amends in a spirited surge late in the quarter with non-stop midcourter Peta Toeava in the thick of the Mystics progress on attack. Another Vui super shot drew the Mystics back into contention but with the Tactix able to keep their supply into Bird – who nailed an impressive 37 from 37 during the first three-quarters – it was the home side who kept their noses in front when leading 43-39 at the last turn

New Zealand sprinter Zoe Hobbs has finish seocnd in the women's 100 metres at the latest World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event in Poland. The 27-year-old recorded a time of 11.42 seconds. The winner was Delphine Nkansa in a time of 11.37 seconds. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs ease to minor premiership win Golf NZ select players for talent phases Ko, Fox back, Moore win major junior title Routliffe loss, win Roland Garros tennis Mystics wary of round four Tactix clash Earlier Hobbs won her heat in a time of 11.42 ahead of Nkansa in second at 11.50 seconds. Hobbs is currently ranked 19th in the world over 100m Meanwihle Tom Walsh placed fifth in the men's shot put at the same meet. He had a top throw of 21.13 metres while the winner was American Payton Otterdahl with 21.59. Otterdahl has won recent Zagreb and Rabat meet titles.

Damian McKenzie high-fives Tupou Vaaii who scored three tries in the win over the Highlanders PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC The Chiefs have started the final weekend of Super Rugby round robin 2025 with a big win over the Highlanders, but it wasn't always pretty.as they wrapped the minor premiership title. The 41-24 2in in Dunedin saw All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i scored three tries in total, two in the first half and one in teh second after the Chiefs led by just 19-14 at halftime. LATEST HEADLINES: Golf NZ select players for talent phases Ko, Fox back, Moore win major junior title Routliffe loss, win Roland Garros tennis Mystics wary of round four Tactix clash Harrison named Heartland XV coach A perfect chip in behind by Damian McKenzie sparked the visitors, with lovely hands putting Samipeni Finau over for the opener after just five minutes. Then Vaa’i made his big impact on the game, scoring a quick-fire double to give them a 19-0 lead after 14 minutes. The Highlanders were rattled and it took co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai to assist de Groot powered over from short for their first points and then a yellow card to prop Reuben O’Neill left the visitors scrambling to finish the half. This is where inspirational centre Tavatavanawai lit up Forysth Barr Stadium, spinning through the defence and slamming it down to celebrate his new deal in style. The break came at the perfect time for the Chiefs, who replicated their first-half efforts after Xavier Roe sprinted down the short side to score after a strong rolling maul. It allows them to control the second half and secure the win via McKenzie's boot and a try to replacement Manasa Mataele. Sam Gilbert gave The Zoo something to celebrate with a late try in his final game for the club. A desperate covering tackle from Cortez Ratima stopped opposite number Adam Lennox as the Highlanders pushed hard to avoid the wooden spoon. But it was too little, too late as the visitors closed out the win and the minor premiership with Vaa’i’s third try of the night. The only concern for the Chiefs will be the fitness of centre Quinn Tupaea after he reeled away from a tackle in pain clutching his face midway through the first half and left the field on a stretcher. Chiefs 41 (Samipeni Finau 3 tries, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen; Gilbert con). HT: 19-14

Michaela SoKoich-Beatson will captain the Mystics against the Tactix in Rangiora PHOTO: MYSTICS The unbeaten Mystics face another key clash in the ANZ Netball Premiership as they travel away to the Tactix in Rangiora on Saturday afternoon. With a three-from-three record the defending champs had a tough one-goal win over the Steel on Monday and now face a sellout parachoial crowd in North Canterbury LATEST HEADLINES: Harrison named Heartland XV coach Auckland FC dominate Team of Season Kiwi downhill, enduro's face Pyrenees Jets see off Sharks solidify playoffs spot Tuipulotu stays with NZR, Blues til 2028 The Mystics are still waiting on the fitness of goal shoot Donnell Wallam, who has yet to see the result of scans on an injured wrist. Either way the Michaela Sokolich-Beatson lead Mystics won't have it easy against the Tactix who have Karin Berger and Jane Watson taking 10 defensive gains in round three The Tactix have lost just one game and that was in round two against the Stars In other matches over the weekend the Steel host last seasons beaten finalists the Pulse on Sunday at 4pm in Invercargill while the winless Magic are in Hamilton on Monday night against the Stars.

David Harrision in charge of Thames Valley will take charge of the Heartland XV PHOTO: NZ After a winning season in charge of the Thames Valley Swampfoxes in the Heartland Championship, David Harrison has been appointed Head Coach of the New Zealand Heartland XV. Harrison brings two decades of experience to the role, playing 12 seasons for Thames Valley before transitioning into a coaching role and leading his side to the Meads Cup title in 2024. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC dominate Team of Season Kiwi downhill, enduro's face Pyrenees Jets see off Sharks solidify playoffs spot Tuipulotu stays with NZR, Blues til 2028 Savea brothers start against Hurricanes He will be assisted by Aarin Dunster and Matai’a Aleni Feagaiga in the team’s two-match tour of Samoa in November. Dunster is a former NZ Heartland XV representative and the current coach of the King Country Rams, while Feagaiga is the Head Coach of Horowhenua Kapiti. New Zealand Rugby’s General Manager of Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said it was an exciting year for Heartland rugby with an international tour back on the schedule. “It’s the first overseas tour for our Heartland team since Covid-19 so no doubt that will provide added incentive for those aiming for selection.” “David, Aarin and Aleni are incredibly passionate about Heartland rugby so we look forward to seeing what they achieve,” said Lancaster. Harrison said it was an honour to get the opportunity to lead the Heartland team. “Heartland rugby has played a significant role in my life over the past two decades and these experiences have helped me gain a rich understanding of what makes Heartland rugby so unique and such an integral part of New Zealand Rugby’s landscape. “Along with Aarin and Aleni, we are going to work towards creating one of the best campaigns the players and management have ever been a part of.” The Heartland XV playing squad will be announced at the conclusion of the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. New Zealand Heartland XV Management Head Coach: David Harrison Assistant Coach: Aarin Dunster Assistant Coach: Matai’a Aleni Feagaiga Team Manager: Thomas Zimmerman (Horowhenua Kapiti) New Zealand Heartland 2025 XV Schedule (kick-off times to be confirmed) Tuesday, 4 November: President’s XV vs NZ Heartland XV Saturday, 8 November: Manuma Samoa vs NZ Heartland XV