2016 Heartland Championship

The 2016 Heartland Championship, known as the 2016 Mitre 10 Heartland Championship for sponsorship reasons,[2] was the eleventh edition of the Heartland Championship, a rugby union competition involving the twelve amateur rugby unions in New Zealand. The tournament included a round-robin stage in which the twelve teams played eight games each and then the top four advanced to the Meads Cup semifinals, while fifth to eighth advanced to the Lochore Cup semifinals. In both of these knockout stages the top seeds (first and fifth) played at home against the lowest seeds (fourth and eighth), the second highest seeds (second and sixth) played at home against the third highest seeds (third and seventh) and the final had the higher seed play at home against the lower seed.

2016 Heartland Championship
Date27 August 2016 (2016-08-27)–29 October 2016 (2016-10-29)[1]
CountriesNew Zealand New Zealand
Final positions
ChampionsWanganui (Meads Cup)
North Otago (Lochore Cup)
Runner-upBuller (Meads Cup)
King Country (Lochore Cup)
Tournament statistics
Matches played54
2015
2017

Law changes

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The New Zealand Rugby Union decided to implement new law changes for the Heartland Championship for 2016. These law changes involved a new points scoring system:[3]

  • 8 pts for a penalty try (no conversion kick required);
  • 6 pts for a try;
  • 2 pts for a penalty, conversion or drop goal.

Teams

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The 2016 Heartland Championship was contested by the following teams:

Team Super Rugby partner Hometown Home stadium Capacity[4]
Buller Crusaders Westport Victoria Square 5,000
East Coast Hurricanes Ruatoria Whakarua Park 3,000
Horowhenua-Kapiti Hurricanes Levin Levin Domain 6,500
King Country Chiefs Taupō Owen Delany Park 20,000
Mid Canterbury Crusaders Ashburton Ashburton Showgrounds 5,000
North Otago Highlanders Oamaru Whitestone Contracting Stadium 7,000
Poverty Bay Hurricanes Gisborne More FM Rugby Park 18,000
South Canterbury Crusaders Timaru Fraser Park 12,000
Thames Valley Chiefs Paeroa Paeroa Domain 3,000
Wairarapa Bush Hurricanes Masterton Trust House Memorial Park 10,000
Wanganui Hurricanes Wanganui Cooks Gardens 15,000
West Coast Crusaders Greymouth Rugby Park 6,000

Ranfurly Shield challenges

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Three Heartland Championship teams, Thames Valley, King Country and Wanganui challenged Waikato for the coveted Ranfurly Shield.[5] Thames Valley last challenged for the Ranfurly Shield in 2014 against Counties Manukau (losing 68–0),[6] whereas both King Country and Wanganui last challenged for it in 2012 against Taranaki (losing 67–16 and 51–7, respectively).[7][8]

The first challenge came from Thames Valley in June, when the Swamp Foxes succumbed 83–13 to Waikato.[9] In July the holders retained their Shield in a 55-to-nothing victory against King Country.[10] The last Heartland Championship challenge for 2016 saw Waikato defeat Wanganui 32–12 in Cambridge.[11]

6 August 2016
14:35 (NZST)
Waikato32–12Wanganui
Try: Iliesa Tavuyara
Tevita Taufui
Jordan Trainor (2)
Whetu Douglas
Steven Misa
Con: Jordan Trainor
ReportTry: Gavin Thornbury
Jamie Hughes
Con: Dane Whale
Memorial Park, Cambridge

Standings

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Pos. Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts
1 Wanganui 8 8 0 0 362 110 +252 6 0 38
2 South Canterbury 8 7 0 1 324 162 +162 7 1 36
3 King Country 8 4 2 2 236 170 +66 4 1 25
4 Mid Canterbury 8 5 0 3 278 198 +80 6 1 27
5 North Otago 2 1 0 1 62 62 +0 2 1 7
6 Poverty Bay 2 1 0 1 78 60 +18 1 1 6
7 Wairarapa Bush 2 1 0 1 48 40 +8 1 1 6
8 Buller 2 1 0 1 60 60 +0 1 1 6
9 Horowhenua-Kapiti 2 1 0 1 56 62 +4 1 0 5
10 Thames Valley 2 0 0 2 52 64 −12 1 2 3
11 East Coast 2 0 0 2 38 128 −90 0 0 0
12 West Coast 2 0 0 2 26 132 −106 0 0 0
Meads Cup qualification
Lochore Cup qualification
In the case of a two-team tie on points the ranking of teams is decided by:
  • (1) the winner of the round robin match between the two provinces; then
  • (2) highest point difference; then
  • (3) most tries scored; then
  • (4) a coin toss.

In the caseof a three-team or more tie on points the ranking of teams is decided by:

  • (1) the province with the most wins against other tied provinces in the Round Robin; then
  • (2) if two teams remain tied they shall be ranked according to the criteria listed above, but if more than two teams remain tied, they shall be ranked according to criteria (2) to (4) only.

Regular season

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The schedule of fixtures was confirmed on 1 March 2016.[1]

Round 1

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27 August 2016
14:00 (NZST)
Thames Valley30–34Horowhenua-Kapiti
Try: John Hale
Lance Easton
Norman Solofa
Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers
Con: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers (2)
Pen: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers
ReportTry: Fa'afoi Ioapo
Ryan Shelford
Andrew Lima
Perry Hayman
Con: Perry Hayman (3)
Pen: Perry Hayman (2)
Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
27 August 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Mid Canterbury40–32North Otago
Try: Jarred Percival (2)
Jon Dampney
Brendon Rigden
Timoci Nabakeke
Mike Lynch
Con: Jarred Percival (2/6)
ReportTry: Shay Tucker
Josh Casey
Joe Pickett
Simon Lilicama
Con: Carey (2/4)
Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
27 August 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Poverty Bay54–30East Coast
Try: Isaia Vuki
Everard Reid
Devonte Stuart
Ken Houkamau
Siosiua Moala
Tamati Samuels
Con: Isaia Vuki (3)
Pen: Isaia Vuki (2)
ReportTry: Scorers not provided[12]
Rugby Park, Gisborne
27 August 2016
14:30 (NZST)
South Canterbury28–26Buller
Try: Raitube Vasurakuta
Max Morris
Viliame Rogatavu
Kieran Coll
Con: Zac Southern (2)
ReportTry: Setafano Sauqaqa
David Egelstaff
James Lash
Con: James Lash (2)
Pen: James Lash (2)
Fraser Park, Timaru
27 August 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Wairarapa Bush16–18King Country
Try: James Googer
Richard Puddy
Con: Tim Priest (1/2)
Pen: Tim Priest
ReportTry: Stephan Turner
Sean Wanden
Con: Zayn Tipping (2/2)
Pen: Zayn Tipping
Memorial Park, Masterton
27 August 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Wanganui74–6West Coast
Try: Michael Nabuliwaqe (3)
Malakai Volau
Roman Tutauha
Te Rangatira Waitokia (2)
Gavin Thornbury
Cole Baldwin
Bryn Hudson
Con: Dane Whale (7)
ReportTry: Trent Reti
Cooks Gardens, Whanganui

Round 2

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3 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Buller34–32Mid Canterbury
Try: James Lash
Anthony Tailua
Joshua Tuidriva
Dan Hytongue
Con: James Lash (4/4)
Drop: James Lash 80'
ReportTry: Logan Bonnington
Jarred Percival
Mike Lynch
Timoci Nabakeke
Con: Jarred Percival (4/4)
Victoria Square, Westport
3 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
East Coast8–74Wanganui
Try: BJ Sidney
Con: Todd Dolan (1/1)
ReportTry: Simon Dibben (2)
Kameli Kuruyabaki
Cole Baldwin
Tremaine Gilbert
Gavin Thornbury
Te Rangitira Waitokia (2)
Craig Clare
Ace Malo
Con: Dane Whalen (5)
Steve Crosbie (2)
Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
3 September 2016
15:05 (NZST)
Horowhenua-Kapiti22–32Wairarapa Bush
Try: Tyson Maki
Penalty try
Con: Perry Hayman (1/1)
Pen: Perry Hayman (2)
Warwick Lahmert
ReportTry: Andrew Smith
James Goodger
Zac Guildford
Sam Monaghan
Con: Tim Priest (2)
Pen: Tim Priest (2)
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington[13]
3 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
King Country30–24Poverty Bay
Try: Sam Mason
Kieron Robinson
Ralulu Bovau
Zayn Tipping
Con: Zayn Tipping (2)
Pen: Zayn Tipping
ReportTry: Les Hills
Tani Misikosi
Ratu Daurua
Con: Isaia Vuki (2)
Pen: Isaia Vuki (2)
Owen Delany Park, Taupō
3 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
North Otago30–22Thames Valley
Try: Ralph Darling
Josh Casey
Matt Posea
Lemi Masoe
Con: Josh Casey (3)
ReportTry: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers
Rupeni Vakacugu
Hayden Wisnoski
Con: Hayden Wisnoski (2)
Centennial Park, Oamaru
3 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
West Coast20–58South Canterbury
Try: Troy Tauwhare
Maleli Mudu
Logan Winter
Con: Nik Cumming (1)
ReportTry: Viliame Logavatu (2)
Mosese Aho
John Dyer
Raitube Vasurakuta
Max Morris
Kieran Coll
Shay Moseby
Con: Zac Southern (5)
Rugby Park, Greymouth

Round 3

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10 September 2016
14:00 (NZST)
Thames Valley22–22King Country
Boyd Park, Te Aroha
10 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Poverty Bay18–30Buller
Rugby Park, Gisborne
10 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Wanganui32–30South Canterbury
Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
10 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
West Coast36–30East Coast
Rugby Park, Greymouth

Round 4

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17 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Buller48–0West Coast
Victoria Square, Westport
17 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
East Coast8–48North Otago
Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
17 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
King Country10–22Wanganui
Rugby Park, Te Kūiti
17 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
South Canterbury52–28Poverty Bay
Fraser Park, Timaru

Round 5

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24 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Buller54–22East Coast
Victoria Square, Westport
24 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Horowhenua-Kapiti18–42King Country
Levin Domain, Levin
24 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
North Otago22–38Wairarapa Bush
Centennial Park, Oamaru
24 September 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Poverty Bay30–52Wanganui
Rugby Park, Gisborne

Round 6

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1 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
South Canterbury36–24Horowhenua-Kapiti
Fraser Park, Timaru
1 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
Wairarapa Bush24–26Buller
Memorial Park, Masterton
1 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
West Coast28–62Poverty Bay
Rugby Park, Greymouth

Round 7

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8 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
Buller0–28Wanganui
Victoria Square, Westport

Round 8

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15 October 2016
14:00 (NZDT)
Thames Valley14–50Poverty Bay
Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
15 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
King Country38–40Buller
Owen Delany Park, Taupō
15 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
South Canterbury14–0Mid Canterbury
Fraser Park, Timaru
15 October 2016
14:30 (NZDT)
West Coast54–42North Otago
Rugby Park, Greymouth

Finals

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Semifinals

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Meads Cup
22 October 2016
14:30 (NZST)
Wanganui58–26Wairarapa Bush
Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
22 October 2016
14:30 (NZST)
South Canterbury6–16Buller
Fraser Park, Timaru
Lochore Cup
22 October 2016
14:30 (NZST)
King Country48–26Poverty Bay
Rugby Park, Te Kūiti

Finals

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Meads Cup
29 October 2016
TBC
Wanganui20–18Buller
Lochore Cup
29 October 2016
TBC
King Country22–44North Otago

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2016 Mitre 10 Heartland Championship Draw" (PDF). Heartland Championship. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Mitre 10 unveiled as new sponsor of national provincial rugby competitions". Heartland Championship. 13 December 2015. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Law trials for NZ domestic competitions in 2016". Heartland Championship. 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Team Information" (PDF). Heartland Championship Media Guide. New Zealand Rugby Union. 13 August 2013. ISSN 1177-5297. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2016 – via AllBlacks.com.
  5. ^ "Pre-season Ranfurly Shield challenges confirmed". Mitre 10 Cup. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  6. ^ Eade, Shaun (2 July 2014). "Counties Manukau too strong for Swamp Foxes". Stuff. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Taranaki fend off King Country". Rugby365. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Wanganui RFU – 2012". Wanganui Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  9. ^ Pearson, Joseph (6 June 2016). "Waikato begin Ranfurly Shield defence as expected with thrashing of Thames Valley". Stuff. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  10. ^ Voerman, Andrew (30 July 2016). "Waikato ease past King Country in the wet to hold on to the Ranfurly Shield". Stuff. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  11. ^ Pearson, Joseph (7 August 2016). "Waikato see off spirited Wanganui challenge to retain the Ranfurly Shield". Stuff. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  12. ^ McDonnell, Lynn (27 August 2016). "Champions make winning Heartland start". Heartland Championship. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Forsyth Barr to host Heartland clash". Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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