# 2016 Heartland Championship

The 2016 Heartland Championship, known as the 2016 Mitre 10 Heartland Championship for sponsorship reasons, 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.

## Law changes

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:
* 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

The 2016 Heartland Championship was contested by the following teams:
| Team | Super Rugby partner | Hometown | Home stadium | Capacity |
| 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

Three Heartland Championship teams, Thames Valley, King Country and Wanganui challenged Waikato for the coveted Ranfurly Shield. Thames Valley last challenged for the Ranfurly Shield in 2014 against Counties Manukau (losing 68–0), whereas both King Country and Wanganui last challenged for it in 2012 against Taranaki (losing 67–16 and 51–7, respectively).
The first challenge came from Thames Valley in June, when the Swamp Foxes succumbed 83–13 to Waikato. In July the holders retained their Shield in a 55-to-nothing victory against King Country. The last Heartland Championship challenge for 2016 saw Waikato defeat Wanganui 32–12 in Cambridge.
* 6 June 2016
| Thames Valley | 13–83 | Waikato |
| Try: Brett Ranga Jone Koroinsagana Pen: Josh O'Flaherty | Report | Try: Iliesa Tavuyara (3) Whetu Douglas (2) Atu Moli (2) Latu Talakai Jake Ale Jason Robertson Hame Faiva Sevu Reece Murray Iti Con: Jason Robertson (6) Matt Lansdown (3) |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 30 July 2016 14:35 (NZST)
| King Country | 0–55 | Waikato |
| | Report | Try: Brian Alainu'uese 11' Hame Faiva (2) Jordan Trainor Murray Iti 47' Sevu Reece 74' Matt Lansdown 78' Tevita Taufuʻi 80' Con: Jordan Trainor (6) Pen: Jordan Trainor |
* Bedford Park, Matamata
* 6 August 2016 14:35 (NZST)
| Waikato | 32–12 | Wanganui |
| Try: Iliesa Tavuyara Tevita Taufuʻi Jordan Trainor (2) Whetu Douglas Steven Misa Con: Jordan Trainor | Report | Try: Gavin Thornbury Jamie Hughes Con: Dane Whale |
* Memorial Park, Cambridge

## Standings

| 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 | Buller | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 258 | 190 | +68 | 5 | 1 | 30 |
| 4 | Wairarapa Bush | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 240 | 174 | +66 | 4 | 2 | 30 |
| 5 | Mid Canterbury | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 278 | 198 | +80 | 6 | 1 | 27 |
| 6 | King Country | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 236 | 170 | +66 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 7 | Poverty Bay | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 296 | 268 | +28 | 6 | 2 | 20 |
| 8 | North Otago | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 230 | 246 | −16 | 5 | 1 | 18 |
| 9 | Horowhenua-Kapiti | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 224 | 260 | −36 | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| 10 | West Coast | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 188 | 400 | −212 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| 11 | Thames Valley | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 158 | 324 | −166 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 12 | East Coast | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 166 | 458 | −292 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
* Meads Cup qualification
* Lochore Cup qualification
* (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

The schedule of fixtures was confirmed on 1 March 2016.

### Round 1

* 27 August 2016 14:00 (NZST)
| Thames Valley | 30–34 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: John Hale Lance Easton Norman Solofa Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers Con: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers (2) Pen: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers | Report | Try: 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 Canterbury | 40–32 | North Otago |
| Try: Jarred Percival (2) Jon Dampney Brendon Rigden Timoci Nabakeke Mike Lynch Con: Jarred Percival (2/6) | Report | Try: Shay Tucker Josh Casey Joe Pickett Simon Lilicama Con: Carey (2/4) |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 27 August 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Poverty Bay | 54–30 | East Coast |
| Try: Isaia Vuki Everard Reid Devonte Stuart Ken Houkamau Siosiua Moala Tamati Samuels Con: Isaia Vuki (3) Pen: Isaia Vuki (2) | Report | Try: Scorers not provided |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 27 August 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| South Canterbury | 28–26 | Buller |
| Try: Raitube Vasurakuta Max Morris Viliame Rogatavu Kieran Coll Con: Zac Southern (2) | Report | Try: Setafano Sauqaqa David Egelstaff James Lash Con: James Lash (2) Pen: James Lash (2) |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 27 August 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Wairarapa Bush | 16–18 | King Country |
| Try: James Googer Richard Puddy Con: Tim Priest (1/2) Pen: Tim Priest | Report | Try: Stephan Turner Sean Wanden Con: Zayn Tipping (2/2) Pen: Zayn Tipping |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 27 August 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Wanganui | 74–6 | West Coast |
| Try: Michael Nabuliwaqe (3) Malakai Volau Roman Tutauha Te Rangatira Waitokia (2) Gavin Thornbury Cole Baldwin Bryn Hudson Con: Dane Whale (7) | Report | Try: Trent Reti |
* Cooks Gardens, Whanganui

### Round 2

* 3 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Buller | 34–32 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: James Lash Anthony Tailua Joshua Tuidriva Dan Hytongue Con: James Lash (4/4) Drop: James Lash 80' | Report | Try: Logan Bonnington Jarred Percival Mike Lynch Timoci Nabakeke Con: Jarred Percival (4/4) |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 3 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| East Coast | 8–74 | Wanganui |
| Try: BJ Sidney Con: Todd Dolan (1/1) | Report | Try: 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-Kapiti | 22–32 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Tyson Maki Penalty try Con: Perry Hayman (1/1) Pen: Perry Hayman (2) Warwick Lahmert | Report | Try: Andrew Smith James Goodger Zac Guildford Sam Monaghan Con: Tim Priest (2) Pen: Tim Priest (2) |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
* 3 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| King Country | 30–24 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Sam Mason Kieron Robinson Ralulu Bovau Zayn Tipping Con: Zayn Tipping (2) Pen: Zayn Tipping | Report | Try: 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 Otago | 30–22 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Ralph Darling Josh Casey Matt Posea Lemi Masoe Con: Josh Casey (3) | Report | Try: Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers Rupeni Vakacugu Hayden Wisnoski Con: Hayden Wisnoski (2) |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru
* 3 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| West Coast | 20–58 | South Canterbury |
| Try: Troy Tauwhare Maleli Mudu Logan Winter Con: Nik Cumming (1) | Report | Try: Viliame Logavatu (2) Mosese Aho John Dyer Raitube Vasurakuta Max Morris Kieran Coll Shay Moseby Con: Zac Southern (5) |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth

### Round 3

* 10 September 2016 14:00 (NZST)
| Thames Valley | 22–22 | King Country |
* Boyd Park, Te Aroha
* 10 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Mid Canterbury | 16–26 | Wairarapa Bush |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 10 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| North Otago | 36–36 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
* 10 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Poverty Bay | 18–30 | Buller |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 10 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Wanganui | 32–30 | South Canterbury |
* Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
* 10 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| West Coast | 36–30 | East Coast |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth

### Round 4

* 17 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Buller | 48–0 | West Coast |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 17 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| East Coast | 8–48 | North Otago |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 17 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 26–42 | Mid Canterbury |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 17 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| King Country | 10–22 | Wanganui |
* Rugby Park, Te Kūiti
* 17 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| South Canterbury | 52–28 | Poverty Bay |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 17 September 2016 18:00 (NZST)
| Wairarapa Bush | 28–18 | Thames Valley |
* Memorial Park, Masterton

### Round 5

* 24 September 2016 14:00 (NZST)
| Thames Valley | 16–62 | South Canterbury |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 24 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Buller | 54–22 | East Coast |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 24 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 18–42 | King Country |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 24 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Mid Canterbury | 34–22 | West Coast |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 24 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| North Otago | 22–38 | Wairarapa Bush |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru
* 24 September 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Poverty Bay | 30–52 | Wanganui |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne

### Round 6

* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| East Coast | 22–76 | Mid Canterbury |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| King Country | 4–4 | North Otago |
* Rugby Park, Te Kūiti
* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| South Canterbury | 36–24 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Wairarapa Bush | 24–26 | Buller |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Wanganui | 60–14 | Thames Valley |
* Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
* 1 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| West Coast | 28–62 | Poverty Bay |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth

### Round 7

* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Buller | 0–28 | Wanganui |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| East Coast | 24–72 | King Country |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 52–22 | West Coast |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Mid Canterbury | 38–22 | Thames Valley |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| North Otago | 16–44 | South Canterbury |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru
* 8 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Poverty Bay | 30–32 | Wairarapa Bush |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne

### Round 8

* 15 October 2016 14:00 (NZDT)
| Thames Valley | 14–50 | Poverty Bay |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 15 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| King Country | 38–40 | Buller |
* Owen Delany Park, Taupō
* 15 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| South Canterbury | 14–0 | Mid Canterbury |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 15 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| Wanganui | 20–12 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
* Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
* 15 October 2016 14:30 (NZDT)
| West Coast | 54–42 | North Otago |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth
* 15 October 2016 18:00 (NZDT)
| Wairarapa Bush | 44–22 | East Coast |
* Memorial Park, Masterton

## Finals

| Meads Cup semi-finals | Meads Cup semi-finals | Meads Cup semi-finals | Meads Cup final | Meads Cup final | Meads Cup final |
| 1 | Wanganui | 58 | | | |
| 4 | Wairarapa Bush | 26 | | | |
| 4 | Wairarapa Bush | 26 | 1 | Wanganui | 20 |
| | | | 3 | Buller | 18 |
| 2 | South Canterbury | 6 | 3 | Buller | 18 |
| 3 | Buller | 16 | | | |
| Lochore Cup semi-finals | Lochore Cup semi-finals | Lochore Cup semi-finals | Lochore Cup final | Lochore Cup final | Lochore Cup final |
| 1 | Mid Canterbury | 24 | | | |
| 4 | North Otago | 36 | | | |
| 4 | North Otago | 36 | 2 | King Country | 22 |
| | | | 4 | North Otago | 44 |
| 2 | King Country | 48 | 4 | North Otago | 44 |
| 3 | Poverty Bay | 26 | | | |

### Semifinals
#### Meads Cup

* 22 October 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Wanganui | 58–26 | Wairarapa Bush |
* Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
* 22 October 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| South Canterbury | 6–16 | Buller |
* Fraser Park, Timaru

#### Lochore Cup

* 22 October 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| Mid Canterbury | 24–36 | North Otago |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 22 October 2016 14:30 (NZST)
| King Country | 48–26 | Poverty Bay |
* Rugby Park, Te Kūiti

### Finals
#### Meads Cup

* 29 October 2016
| Wanganui | 20–18 | Buller |

#### Lochore Cup

* 29 October 2016
| King Country | 22–44 | North Otago |