By Mark Medlicott

South Canterbury halfback Willie Wright is looking forward to facing his second international rugby side. Wright is one of two South Canterbury players named in the New Zealand Heartland XV to face Samoa at Eden Park on August 31. The 26-year-old will be joined by Temuka wing Kalavini Leatigaga, who will pull on the New Zealand Heartland jersey for the first time. South Canterbury's halfback Willie Wright showing the 2018 form that has taken him into the NZ Heartland XV. JOHN BISSET/STUFF South Canterbury's halfback Willie Wright showing the 2018 form that has taken him into the NZ Heartland XV. While Leatigaga and Wright were the only two South Canterbury players selected in the 23 strong team, centurion Matt Fetu has been put on stand-by and if he gets the call-up it will be the fourth year the front rower will have played for the Heartland side. READ MORE: * South Canterbury win final Heartland warm-up match against Mid Canterbury * New coach upbeat despite first loss in Heartland preseason * Walsh brothers make Heartland rugby history The match is the opening game of the Pasifika Challenge II with the double header also featuring Tonga v Fiji as part of their Rugby World Cup preparation. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with Stuff Temuka winger Kalavini Leatigaga (right) has been selected in the NZ Heartland XV to play Samoa in Auckland. JOHN BISSET/STUFF Temuka winger Kalavini Leatigaga (right) has been selected in the NZ Heartland XV to play Samoa in Auckland. Wright said he was excited to be selected. "I've had my eye on it since they announced the Heartland XV would take on Samoa. "It will be tough but it's not every day you get the chance to play an international side." Wright's only other international opposition was playing for South Canterbury against Russia as a teenager. Wright and fellow teenager Kurt Rooney got their first South Canterbury caps when they came on late against the Russian side, in their build-up for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Heartland side is coached by Mark Rutene with South Canterbury coach Nigel Walsh his assistant. Rutene said the players were excited with the challenge ahead of them. "Opportunities like this don't come around every day. We are calling this our Test match, it's the biggest game our Heartland team has played." "It's against a passionate and proud international side and it's at Eden Park. Both teams can look forward to that." With the core of the squad from the 2018 campaign returning in 2019, Rutene said those connections will be key in next week's build up. Last year Wright, openside Nick Strachan and lock Veikoso "James" Polonaiti made the side but Strachan withdrew late with an injury while Polonaiti now plays his rugby in Wellington. Rutene said it gave then some comfort that they have worked with a lot of the players before, so we should be able to hit the ground running. Last year's captain Alex Bradley has retired but Rutene notes there is plenty of experience in the team, with Thames Valley captain Brett Ranga in the forwards and backline veterans James Lash and Craig Clare. Poverty Bay's Mark Atkins and Adrian Wyrill also bring first class experience, both having previously played Mitre 10 Cup. Rutene said 32 players were named in a wider squad last month and he expects they have put in some hard work. "We know that these players are coming off a diet of club rugby, they'll have one Heartland (Championship) match under their belt before facing international opposition, that's a big step up but one they are all looking forward to." Rutene said motivation for the team was simple. "These guys are pulling on a black jersey. On top of that, Sir Brian Lochore passed away a few weeks ago and he was one of the greatest champions of heartland rugby. It will be about his legacy and we are hoping to put on a performance everyone can be proud of." Players will play for their provinces in round one of the Heartland Championship on Saturday before assembling in Auckland on Monday. The New Zealand Heartland XV squad is: Forwards, Mark Atkins (Poverty Bay), Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti), Carl Carmichael (King Country), Josh Clarke (North Otago), Ralph Darling (North Otago), James Goodger (Wairarapa Bush), Campbell Hart (Wanganui), Meli Kolinisau (North Otago), Seta Koroitamana (Mid Canterbury), Glen McIntyre (Thames Valley), Brett Ranga (Thames Valley), Troy Tauwhare (West Coast), Adrian Wyrill (Poverty Bay). Backs, Craig Clare (Wanganui), Sione Holani (West Coast), Lindsay Horrocks (Wanganui), Harry Lafiuanei (Thames Valley), James Lash (Buller), Kalavini Leatigaga (South Canterbury), Peni Nabainivalu (Wanganui), Willie Paiaua (Horowhenua Kapiti), Timoci Serawalu (Horowhenua Kapiti), William Wright (South Canterbury).

Article added: Tuesday 20 August 2019