SIU KAKALA

  • Position:                   No8
  • SENIORS:                 2019 - present
  • SENIOR Caps:          79
  • 2019 - 2026 SC Heartland Squad
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  • 2023 SC Heartland Players Player of the Year
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  • 2023 NZ Rugby Ian Kirkpatrick Medal Winner
  • 2024 NZ Heartland XV
  • 2026 SC Heartland Player of the Year
  • 2026 NZ Heartland XV

Heartland XV 2026 squad announced to play Manumā Samoa

RugbyHeartland News October 21, 2026

The 2026 New Zealand Heartland XV squad has been named, boasting 13 debutants set to play in two feature matches against a Manumā Samoa side in November.

The side, which is once again led by Head Coach David Harrison (Thames Valley), is made up of the best players from the Hilux Heartland Championship, with 13 of those playing over the weekend in the Meads Cup and Lochore Cup finals.

Nine Heartland unions from across the country are represented in the squad. The Heartland XV will play the visiting side at Fraser Park in Timaru on Sunday November 1 and Friday November 6.

The side also contains three Ian Kirkpatrick Medal winners – Heartland’s player of the year award – in Sam Parkes, Siu Kakala and Alekesio Vakarorogo.

Head Coach David Harrison said he has an exciting group of players to work with, and was looking to continue the tone and culture set on the 2025 tour.

“I’d like to congratulate these men on their selection. This year’s competition was extremely competitive and full of top-quality players. I’m looking forward to getting started on our preparations.

“I’m looking forward to connecting a great group of men together, as I really enjoyed last season’s tour. I anticipate we can create an environment that these guys can look back fondly on.”

Harrison commented that he looked forward to reciprocating the hospitality and culture shown to his side by the Samoan sides in their 2025 tour.

“We’re very lucky to have an overseas team come and play, and now we are able to repay the hospitality afforded to us last season by them. We were blown away really, and we get to repay that now,” he says.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Rugby Officer Mike Collins said this is a huge career highlight for many of these players.

“Each of these players has earned the honour of wearing the black jersey. It’s now a special chance for these players to represent their communities and provinces on the international stage, and strengthen New Zealand Rugby’s connection with our Pasifika neighbours.”

The squad assembles in Christchurch on October 28. The team will also travel to local schools in the North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury provinces for community activations.

New Zealand Heartland XV 2026 squad:

  • Forwards:    
  • Lisivani Tuifua* – North Otago     
  • Carey Cornelius-Peina* – King Country     
  • Kelepi Funaki – North Otago·   
  • Lewis Bush* – Wairarapa Bush    
  • Liam Rowlands – King Country    
  • Josh Tye* – Thames Valley
  • Anthony Amato – South Canterbury
  • Manasa Samo – Mid Canterbury     
  • Mitchell Morton* – North Otago    
  • Reeve Satherley* – King Country     
  • Mitch Gibson* – Mid Canterbury     
  • Kenan Gillson – Thames Valley     
  • Siu Kakala – South Canterbury    
  • Kaharoa Takuira-Mita* – King Country
  • Backs:    
  • Kristian Gent-Standen – King Country     
  • Sam Parkes* – Ngāti Porou East Coast     
  • Hone Mathieson* – King Country  
  • Tom Reekie – Mid Canterbury
  • Mataitini Feke – North Otago    
  • Toetu Touli – Mid Canterbury     
  • Connor Paki* – Horowhenua-Kapiti·    
  • Alekesio Vakarorogo – Whanganui·    
  • Ben McCarthy* – North Otago·    
  • Leighton Ralph* – Horowhenua-Kapiti·    
  • Quinn Collard – Thames Valley
  • *denotes New Zealand Heartland XV debut.
  • New Zealand Heartland XV Management:·    
  • Head Coach: David Harrison (Thames Valley)·    
  • Assistant Coaches: Aarin Dunster (King Country), Mataia Aleni Feagaiga (Horowhenua Kapiti)·     
  • Team Manager: Jason Tennant (Mid Canterbury)·    
  • Campaign Managers: Clint Austin, Jane Miller·    
  • Team Physio: Richard Barlow·    
  • Team Doctor: Dr Stevie Waerea
  • New Zealand Heartland XV series details:·    
  • Sunday 1 November 2026: New Zealand Heartland XV v Manumā Samoa,
  • Fraser Park, Timaru. KO: 3:05pm·    
  • Friday 6 November 2026: New Zealand Heartland XV v Manumā Samoa,
  • Fraser Park, Timaru. KO: 5:30pm

The New Zealand Heartland XV has been named today, featuring fresh faces and a former All Black in the mix.

Former All Black and Māori All Black Hika Elliot will add another black jersey to his collection after an impressive season with South Canterbury.

He is one of 15 potential debutants named in the 25-man squad, selected by coaches Nigel Walsh and Miah Nikora. A combination of retirements, injuries and break-through performances have resulted in the high number of new faces.

“We’ve had people watching across the Heartland competition and these 15 debutants all played very well throughout the season and deserve the opportunity to put a silver fern on their chest,” said Walsh.

Speaking of Elliot, Walsh said it will add a lot to the Heartland XV environment.

“He’s excited to be part of this squad. He brings leadership on and off the field and knows what it means to wear the black jersey. I know he’ll do whatever he can to help the squad but at the same time, will just be one of the boys.”

Elliot will be one of many leaders in the side, including Willie Wright, in his seventh Heartland XV campaign, his fellow South Canterbury co-captain Tokoma’ata Fakatava and Thames Valley Captain Matty Axtens.

With a short lead in to the first match, Walsh said the focus will be to connect quickly.

“We want to do ourselves and all the Heartland Unions proud – we represent all of them. It will be challenging with so many new players but they are an exciting bunch so we welcome the work we need to do and hopefully will play some exciting rugby,” said Walsh.

Nine of the selected players will vie for the Meads Cup this weekend, with Thames Valley (six) and Mid Canterbury (three), among the seven Heartland Unions represented in the squad.

The squad assembles next week for a two-match series in Whanganui against a New Zealand Māori Selection on October 29, followed by the New Zealand Barbarians on November 2.

The New Zealand Heartland XV team is (*denotes potential debut);

  • Anthony Amato (South Canterbury)
  • *Matty Axtens (Thames Valley)
  • *Quinn Collard (Thames Valley)
  • *Toddy Doolan (Thames Valley)
  • *Hika Elliot (South Canterbury)
  • *Sione Etoni (Thames Valley)
  • *Oneone Faafou (Thames Valley)
  • *Tokoma’ata Fakatava (South Canterbury)
  • Paula Fifita (South Canterbury)
  • Kaleb Foote (King Country)
  • Kristian Gent-Standen (King Country)
  • *Poleka Itielu (Horowhenua-Kapiti)
  • *Finlay Joyce (South Canterbury)
  • *Siu Kakala (South Canterbury)
  • *Te Huia Kutia (Thames Valley)
  • Peceli Malanicagi  (Whanganui)
  • Declan McCormack (Mid Canterbury)
  • *Clarence Moli (South Canterbury)
  • *Ethan Robinson (Whanganui)
  • *Tyler Rogers Holden (Whanganui)
  • *Raitube Vasurakuta (Mid Canterbury)
  • Logan Wakefield (Wairarapa Bush)
  • *Dallas Wiki (Horowhenua-Kapiti)
  • *Adam Williamson (Mid Canterbury)
  • William Wright (South Canterbury) 
  • Head Coach – Nigel Walsh (South Canterbury)
  • Assistant Coach – Miah Nikora (Poverty Bay)
  • Observer Coach – Aleni Feagaiga (Horowhenua-Kapiti)
  • Observer Coach -- David Harrison (Thames Valley) 
  • Manager – Tommy Zimmerman (Horowhenua-Kapiti)
  • Physio – Geoff Thompson (South Canterbury)
  • Trainer – Slade King (Rotorua)