The country boys learned a lot playing the big city teams as Whanganui’s contingent in the Heartland Hurricanes Under 20’s completed their Central Regions Shield campaign with a 49-5 loss to Wellington U19’s in Upper Hutt on Saturday.

The Hurricanes, coached by the Super Rugby franchise’s development manager Darren Larsen and assisted by Summit Electrical Whanganui U20’s coach Todd Cowan, had beaten Manawatu 25-19 in their first game in Palmerston North, then lost to runners-up Hawke’s Bay 50-12 in Napier.

Wellington, winning their 11th straight title and 23rd overall in 43 seasons, led 22-0 at halftime and went on with it to retain the crown.

Whanganui’s players in the Heartland squad were Mat Hammond, Teina-Lee Phillips, Angus Wigglesworth, Mason Henry, Jahstice Metekingi, Tahatika Te Riaki and Jeff Dorset.

“All the Whanganui boys featured in the four games, they all got plenty of minutes and got a good future ahead of them,” said Cowan.

“It’s always a tough ask with the competition because we’re coming up against academy teams that have been together since February-March, pretty well drilled and come from some pretty good systems.”

The Heartland team also played McFall Fuel Whanganui Barbarians in preseason, but will not get their fourth annual game with the Heartland Chiefs U20’s for the Glen Osborne Cup.

“It’s a little bit disappointing with the Chiefs pulling out this season, but hoping that will get revived,” said Cowan.

“It was a pretty successful campaign I’d say, obviously it’s a great opportunity for aspiring players which the Hurricanes franchise wraps around.

“Probably opens their eyes to the high performance stuff – nutrition, strength conditioning, and all those other elements in the game not touched on much at club level.”

By Jared Smith