10 Year Anniversary For Under 20 Series In 2024
In 2014, a decision was made by the Council’s Executive Board to provide an opportunity for players under 20 years of age from the region’s Heartland Provincial Unions to be selected for the New Zealand Heartland Under 19 squad for the new Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament, by creating a new regional annual competition. Other than in 2020 when all Council programmes were cancelled owing to COVID, the competition (which became known as the "Heartland Under 20 Series") has been played every year, with 2024 being the 10-year anniversary of the Series.
Since 2014, Whanganui RFU has won the Series five times, while Horowhenua Kapiti RFU and Wairarapa Bush RFU have each won the Series twice. In the past two years, the final two rounds of the Series have moved from the Sport & Rugby Institute in Palmerston North, to the Bulls Rugby Football Club, which will again host the Series in 2024.
Following is a list of Series winners over the past decade and the Players of the Series.
2014 : Whanganui RFU
2015 : Whanganui RFU
Player of the Series: Nathan Rawiri-Couch, (Wairarapa Bush RFU)
2016 : Whanganui RFU
Players of the Series: Harerangi Meihana, (Whanganui RFU); Andrew Tauatevalu, (Poverty Bay); and Brodie Huthnance, (Horowhenua Kapiti RFU) - all on equal "Best and Fairest" points
2017 : Whanganui RFU
Player of the Series: Cameron Davies, (Wanganui RFU)
2018 : Horowhenua Kapiti RFU
Player of the Series: Sean Pape, (Horowhenua Kapiti RFU)
2019 : Wairarapa Bush RFU
Player of the Series: was Jason Myers, (Whanganui RFU)
2020 : COVID
2021 : Horowhenua Kapiti RFU
Player of the Series: Darren Falaniko, (Horowhenua Kapiti RFU)
2022 : Whanganui RFU
Player of the Series: Lafo Takiari-Ah Ching, (Whanganui RFU)
2023 : Wairarapa Bush RFU
Player of the Series: Hayze Nepia, (Poverty Bay RFU)
At the conclusion of the Series, the Hurricanes Heartland Under 20 side is selected, which then plays in the Central Shield against Hawkes Bay RFU, Manawatu RFU and Wellington RFU, also playing a one-off fixture for the Glen Osborne Cup against a Chiefs Heartland Under 20 selection.
(Published: 21/07/24)