Heartland XV finish 2025 season with identical victories in Samoa

After a long campaign in the Heartland Championship this year, the New Zealand Heartland XV assembled last week ahead of two games in Samoa against both the Samoa XV and Samoa’s President’s XV.

David Harrison, the head coach of Thames Valley, was named this year’s head coach for the trip, alongside other head coaches from other provinces, Aarin Dunster out of King Country, and Matai’a Aleni Feagaiga from Horowhenua Kapiti.

Mid Canterbury captain and experienced Heartland XV player Declan McCormack was named captain for the tour, who was also one of the players who played the full 80 minutes in both encounters.

In the first game of the tour, Kaleb Foote from King Country and Adam Williamson from Mid Canterbury made an appearance for the Heartland XV for the fourth year in a row.

The two games in Samoa both ended in the same scoreline, 31-14, with the Heartland XV taking out both games in Apia, Samoa.

The first game of the 2025 series, against Samoa Presidents XV, was a close battle in the first half as both teams traded five-pointers.

Heartland XV fullback from Thames Valley Quinn Collard impressed throughout the first 80 minutes in Apia, scoring a try in the 15th minute, looking dangerous with ball in hand, and showcasing his skillset with accurate kicking.

The Kiwis led at halftime 17-11, before only letting in three points in the second half to storm home to win 31-14.

Second half tries to Thomas Reekie from Mid Canterbury and Kelepi Funaki from North Otago helped secure the touring team a 17 point victory.

Four days later, at the same ground in difficult humid conditions, they were tasked with playing against the Samoa XV.

This time around it was a relatively dominant first half from the New Zealand side, with Samual Walton-Sexton, Liam Rowlands, and Sione Etoni contributing with tries in the opening 40 minutes.

The second 40 minutes was slightly more quiet for the away side, but two clinical finishes from Whanganui winger Alekesio Vakarorogo helped put the game out of reach for Samoa XV.

Harrison’s side also got some real impact off the bench from experienced halfback Sailimalo Kahn Fotualii, who helped the Kiwi side get over the line in Apia.

New Zealand Heartland XV 31 defeated Samoa President’s XV 14
New Zealand Heartland XV 31 defeated Samoa XV 14

Heartland XV 2025:

Adam Williamson (Mid-Canterbury)
Alekesio Vakarorogo (Whanganui) *
Anthony Amato (South Canterbury)
Cameron Dromgool (Thames Valley)
Declan McCormack (Mid-Canterbury)
Ethan Robinson (Whanganui)
Hugh Mitchell Cameron (Mid-Canterbury) *
Hunter Stewart (Mid-Canterbury) *
Jackson Lewis Donlan (Mid-Canterbury)
Sailimalo Kahn Fotualii (Horowhenua-Kapiti) *
Kaleb Foote (King Country)
Kelepi Funaki (North Otago) *
Kenan Gillson (Thames Valley) *
Kristian Gent-Standen (King Country)
Lesen Huiarangi (Thames Valley) *
Liam Rowlands (King Country)
Logan Allen (Thames Valley) *
Manasa Samo (Mid-Canterbury) *
Mataitini Feke (North Otago) *
Quinn Collard (Thames Valley)
Samual Walton-Sexton (Wairarapa Bush) *
Sione Etoni (Thames Valley)
Thomas Reekie (Mid-Canterbury)
Toetu Touli (Mid-Canterbury) *
Tom Ryan (King Country) *
Tupou Lea’aemanu (Wairarapa Bush) *
Uluifalefisi Junior Fakatoufifita (North Otago)

Unavailable due to injury:
Keanu Taumata (Poverty Bay)
Raitube Vasurakuta (Mid-Canterbury)
Tokomaata Mavache Kelesi Fakatava (South Canterbury)
William Wright (South Canterbury)