New Zealand’s best division two and three talents will visit Samoa for a two-match tour in late 2025.
The Heartland XV were bested twice in their two 2024 contests, firstly by a New Zealand Maori XV, 47-14, and then by a New Zealand Barbarians XV, 40-21.
The team, which began in 1988 as the New Zealand Divisional XV, have embarked on Pacific tours in the past, but have stuck to Kiwi opposition since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Former All Black Eroni Clarke made the announcement on New Zealand Rugby’s social media channels on Friday.
“Friends in rugby, New Zealand and Samoa share a long proud history in rugby and for that reason, we are excited to announce the New Zealand heartland XV will travel to Samoa next year,” he said.
“The tour will have two matches against the Samoa President’s XV and Samoa Development XV in Apia next November.
“The Heartland XV first visited Samoa in 1993 and the team will look forward to experiencing the culture, food, sights, and of course, the rugby next year.”
While it is no longer the stepping stone it once was, the Heartland XV has benefitted the careers of former All Blacks like Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Jeff Wilson, Todd Blackadder, Norm Hewitt, Simon Culhane and Matthew Cooper.
