West Coast Rugby – Press Release Jack Rea (Kiwi RFC selected for NZ Heartland U20

One of West Coast’s brightest young rugby talents, Jack Rea, from the Kiwi R.F.C in Hokitika, has been rewarded for his outstanding form this year for his club, and the West Coast Heartland rugby team, with selection in the New Zealand Heartland Under 20 team.

The team that is comprised of under 20 age-grade players from across the Heartland Unions, will compete against the New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura side, in Hamilton on Sunday 6th October.

West Coast Rugby Union deputy chair, Mike Lash, said that the West Coast community will be thrilled for Jack.

“He’s a young lad who turns up and does the mahi, works hard and this selection is an acknowledgement of not only that, but to the quality player he already is at a young age.”

“We know he’ll represent the Coast well.” Lash said.

 The newly formed New Zealand Heartland Under 20 team includes players from each of the 12 Heartland Provincial Unions. Whanganui Coach, Todd Cowan, will head the team alongside Assistant Coach James White, from King Country.

New Zealand Heartland Under 20 Head Coach Todd Cowan is grateful for the opportunity this brings to young heartland players.

“Heartland rugby is a viable pathway for young aspiring players to progress their careers and this team illustrates that, to be able to don the Black jersey will be a very special moment for the team. We’re looking forward to taking the field against the New Zealand Māori Under 18 and hope to play an exciting brand of rugby with real ‘heartland’ flavour next Sunday afternoon”, Cowan said.

The full New Zealand Heartland Under 20 team is: Korbin Chwesik, Thames Valley; Mikaere Harvey, Horowhenua-Kapiti; Benazzi Ward, Wairarapa Bush; Fletcher Hobbs, Mid Canterbury; Milan Tawera-Milosevic, Ngāti Porou East Coast; Wille Mataitai, Wairarapa Bush, Jacob Keating, Horowhenua-Kapiti; Te Reimana Gray, Poverty Bay; Chad Whale, Whanganui; Taine Tukua-Grant, King Country; Toby Growcott, North Otago; Zeke Collier, Thames Valley; Mitieli Ezekiel Waqa, Wairarapa Bush; Jack Rea, West Coast; Rico Bell, King Country; Israel Fox, Poverty Bay; Jack Dallas-Johnson, King Country; Jayden Pari, King Country; Conley Alexander, Wairarapa Bush; George Clark, South Canterbury; Kieran Harris, South Canterbury; To George Horowhenua-Kapiti; Bow Wallace, Buller.
The match will be played on Sunday 6th October, at FMG Stadium Waikato, in Hamilton.