2010

Season

Wanganui were looking for their third title in as many years but were well beaten in the final by North Otago, the only team to have beaten Wanganui during the championship season. Wanganui could not overcome the power of the big North Otago pack and hard running backs. The team had many classy backs and an efficient set of loose forwards but needed a more powerful set of tight forwards. Eight players gained selection to the Heartland team, the most by any union but Matt Gilbert withdrew from the squad, being replaced by Shaun McDonough.

Gilbert captained the side with McDonough being his fellow prop. Sheldon O’Hagan gained a starting position later in the season ahead of McDonough. Cole Baldwin had an excellent season at hooker while Shane Ratima was an experienced player in reserve. Jon Smyth and 20-year-old Aaron Kelly, a loan player from Waikato, were the locks. Peter Rowe was the most outstanding of the loose forwards and later captained the Heartland team. Fraser Hammond, Darren Munro and Adam Roe also featured in the loose play.

The experienced Denning Tyrell was again at halfback with newcomer Mathew Koubaridis a good substitute. First five-eighth Mark Davis scored 109 points and distributed good ball to the enterprising outside backs. Steelie Koro and Tau Moeke were the midfield pairing with Vance Pereka being a regular substitute. Origin player Fraser Middleton was used at centre, fullback and wing. Sam Scown, Cameron Crowley and  Johnny Mow were the wings. Former Taranaki player Asalemo Malo had been playing his club rugby in Manawatu earlier in the season but on failing to he selected to the Turbos squad he moved to Wanganui. His running from fullback strengthened the attacking backline. The previous season’s fullback Asaeli Tikoirotuma had moved to Manawatu.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland: Baldwin, Crowley, Davis, Hammond, Koro, McDonough, Rowe, Smyth