Whanganui players learn plenty with Heartland Hurricanes 

By Jared Smith  Pictures by Kiwi TV

It has been a baptism of fire for the Whanganui players in the Heartland Hurricanes Under 20’s, who completed their campaign with a thrilling victory over the Heartland Chiefs last Friday night.

Returning 2022 players Lafo Takiari Ah Ching and Mitai Hemi in the midfield were joined by prop Aporosa Bulivou, hooker Atriane Marino and first-five Chad Whale, along with Steelform Whanganui apprentice players in halfback Eben Classen and outside back Josh Brunger.

In addition, successful Waverley Harvesting Border coach Todd Cowan had joined the coaching staff of Darren Larsen as his backs coach, while Whanganui manager Chris Back continued his role.

Ah Ching (hamstring) and Brunger (broken foot recovery) were unavailable for the ‘preseason’ game with McFall Fuel Whanganui Development XV at Cooks Gardens, but reinforced by Whanganui prop Konradd Newland joining the bench while his transfer as a loan player for Whanganui’s Heartland team was completed.

Hemi scored two tries in the 21-14 win.

The side then started their Central Region Trophy campaign against eventual champions Wellington U19, with Brunger scoring a try in the 50-12 loss in Palmerston North.

Things picked up with a 34-10 victory over home side Manawatu Under 19 the following week, before a 47-19 defeat to Hawke’s Bay U19 in an NPC curtain-raiser at McLean Park.

That set up the second annual game with the Heartland Chiefs – selected from promising Under 20’s players in Thames Valley and King Country – and unlike last year’s inaugural match, the Waikato team had played a couple of warm-up fixtures.

Ah Ching, having worked through his hamstring issues, while Bulivou and Marino were promoted to the starting front row due to injury issues.

As the game was on a Friday evening at McLean Park, Classen and Brunger were granted permission to play to cover other injuries, despite both having previously graduated to the Whanganui Heartland team.

“Against the Chiefs, huge gratitude for Burgs [Jason Hamlin] to release Eben and Josh to play before that Heartland game on the Saturday, because the East Coast game was a crunch game for Whanganui too,” said Back.

Trailing 22-17 on fulltime, the Hurricanes scored and Horowhenua-Kapiti winger Max Hosking slotted the conversion from touch to retain the Glen Osborne Cup.

Of the other locals in the team, Hemi had a consistent campaign – being a steady ball carrier in the midfield, while Whale had limited opportunities, but made the most of his 10-15 minute cameos off the bench.

“When they got on the field they played well. The Whanganui boys all progressed well through the campaign,” said Back.

Cowan, working with Larsen and getting to spend time with future All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland, got to continue his career development.

Back said they are grateful to the Hurricanes Youth Council and the Heartland unions for covering the costs of the players travel and accommodation, as Classen and Brunger’s immediate ascension to First Class rugby shows how important the programme can be.

“If you look around the Heartland squads this year, virtually everyone’s got 2-3 players from the Heartland Hurricanes.