# 2012 Heartland Championship

The 2012 Heartland Championship was the seventh season of the Heartland Championship, New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition, since its reorganisation in 2006, involving the 12 amateur rugby unions in New Zealand. The format was the same as in 2011. The tournament's round robin stage saw the 12 teams play 8 games. The top four teams in the table at the end of the 8 weeks played off for the Meads Cup, while the next four contested the Lochore Cup.

## Teams

The 2012 Heartland Championship was contested by the following teams:
| Team | Super Rugby partner | Hometown |
| Buller | Crusaders | Westport |
| East Coast | Hurricanes | Ruatoria |
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | Hurricanes | Levin |
| King Country | Chiefs | Te Kūiti, Taupō |
| Mid Canterbury | Crusaders | Ashburton |
| North Otago | Highlanders | Oamaru |
| Poverty Bay | Hurricanes | Gisborne |
| South Canterbury | Crusaders | Timaru |
| Thames Valley | Chiefs | Paeroa |
| Wairarapa Bush | Hurricanes | Masterton |
| Wanganui | Hurricanes | Wanganui |
| West Coast | Crusaders | Greymouth |

## Table

* Qualified for Meads Cup
* Qualified for Lochore Cup
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | +/− | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | East Coast | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 230 | 177 | +53 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| 2 | Wanganui | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 237 | 133 | +104 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| 3 | Wairarapa Bush | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 219 | 130 | +89 | 2 | 2 | 28 |
| 4 | North Otago | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 195 | 194 | +1 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 5 | Buller | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 205 | 180 | +25 | 3 | 2 | 25 |
| 6 | South Canterbury | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 265 | 227 | +38 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| 7 | Mid Canterbury | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 158 | 162 | −4 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 8 | Poverty Bay | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 212 | 247 | −35 | 4 | 1 | 17 |
| 9 | West Coast | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 140 | 185 | −45 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 10 | Thames Valley | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 203 | 263 | −60 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| 11 | King Country | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 178 | 230 | −52 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 12 | Horowhenua-Kapiti | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 124 | 238 | −114 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
* In the case of two teams being tied 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 case of three or more teams being tied on points, the rankings of teams is decided by:
(1) the province with the most wins against other tied provinces in the Round Robin; then

## Results

The fixtures were released on 28 March 2012.

### Week 1

* 25 August 2012 13:00
| Wairarapa Bush | 32–21 | South Canterbury |
| Try: Cameron Hayton Johan VanVliet Con: Glen Walters (2) Pen: Glen Walters (6) | | Try: Sekope Maea Aporasa Tabulawaki Pen: Kurt Rooney (2) |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 25 August 2012 14:30
| Mid Canterbury | 23–24 | Wanganui |
| Try: James Carr Mac Sykes Con: Andrew Letham (2) Pen: Andrew Letham (3) | | Try: Asalemo Malo Darren Munro Con: Mark Davis Pen: Mark Davis (4) |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 25 August 2012 14:30
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 15–31 | Poverty Bay |
| Pen: Sonny McBride (4) Perry Hayman | | Try: Andrew Gardner Henry Yortt Kelvin Smith Paula Tikomainaivalu Con: Scott Leighton (4) Pen: Scott Leighton |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 25 August 2012 14:30
| Buller | 24–14 | Thames Valley |
| Try: James Foster Apenise Ratugoieavanua Con: Marty Banks Pen: Marty Banks (4) | | Try: Jason Laurich Blake Hill Con: Brook Tremayne (2) |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 25 August 2012 14:30
| East Coast | 23–16 | West Coast |
| Try: Everard Reid Tau Moeke Rua Tipoki Con: Joel Semple Pen: Joel Semple (2) | | Try: Brad Houston Rowan O'Gorman Pen: Corey Deans (2) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 25 August 2012 14:30
| King Country | 30–31 | North Otago |
| Try: Rupeni Seduadua Ben Draper Con: Kurt Strachan (3) Pen: Kurt Strachan (3) | | Try: Samisoni Tongotongo Tala Fagasoia Ralph Darling Chris Talanoa Con: Hamish Buick (4) Pen: Hamish Buick |
* Rugby Park, Te Kūiti

### Week 2

* 1 September 2012 14:00
| Thames Valley | 31–17 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: Blake Hill Lance Easton Armyn Sanders Con: David Harrison (2) Pen: David Harrison (4) | | Try: Nick McKain Con: Andrew Leatham (2) Pen: Andrew Leatham |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 1 September 2012 14:30
| South Canterbury | 37–9 | East Coast |
| Try: Liam Edwards Timaru Tafa Stephen Burt Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa Con: Liam Edwards (3) Pen: Liam Edwards (2) | | Pen: John Semple (3) |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 1 September 2012 14:30
| Poverty Bay | 21–48 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Moss Doran David Philander Jason Taupawa Con: Scott Leighton (3) | | Try: Inia Katia Nick Olson Jessie McGilvray Johan van Vliet Cameron Hayton Con: Glen Walters (6) Pen: Glen Walters (2) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 1 September 2012 14:30
| West Coast | 27–21 | King Country |
| Try: Rowan O'Gorman Nick Davis Robert Gabriel Con: Corey Deans (2) Pen: Corey Deans | | Try: Sean Cressy Dean Church Con: Kurt Strachan Pen: Kurt Strachan (3) |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth
* 1 September 2012 14:30
| Wanganui | 28–10 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: Mark Davis Tremaine Gilbert Saul Chase Con: Mark Davis (2) Pen: Mark Davis (3) | | Try: Perry Hayman |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 1 September 2012 14:30
| North Otago | 22–15 | Buller |
| Try: Ian Cooney Con: Hamish Buick Pen: Hamish Buick (4) Billy Guyton | | Try: Andrew Norton Taylor Iliasa Namua Con: Marty Banks Pen: Marty Banks |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru

### Week 3

* 8 September 2012 14:30
| East Coast | 20–18 | Buller |
| Try: Rua Tipoki Pomare Samupo Con: Joel Semple Pen: Joel Semple | | Try: Traiel Jossefs Peni Nabainivalu Con: Marty Banks Pen: Marty Banks (2) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 8 September 2012 14:30
| West Coast | 8–12 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Dave Woods Pen: Corey Deans | | Pen: Glen Walters (4) |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth
* 8 September 2012 14:30
| Wanganui | 42–3 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Vaan Rauhina Andrew Retallick Simon Dibben Asalemo Malo Saul Chase Con: Mark Davis (6) | | Pen: Scott Leighton |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 8 September 2012 14:30
| South Canterbury | 42–37 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Timaru Tafa Tenari Saumani Sekope Maea Con: Liam Edwards (4) Pen: Liam Edwards (2) | | Try: Blake Hill Bruce Jones Brett Ranga Con: David Harrison (2) Pen: David Harrison (6) |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 8 September 2012 14:30
| King Country | 32–10 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: Kurt Strachan G Waller Ben Draper Simeli Koniferedi Con: Kurt Strachan (3) Pen: Kurt Strachan (2) | | Try: Anthony Fox Con: Sonny McBride Pen: Sonny McBride |
* Owen Delany Park, Taupō
* 8 September 2012 14:30
| Mid Canterbury | 7–3 | North Otago |
| Try: Misi Salave Con: Andrew Leatham | | Pen: Mataiasi Ahaleilei |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

### Week 4

* 15 September 2012 14:30
| Wairarapa Bush | 19–26 | Wanganui |
| Try: Glen Walters Con: Glen Walters Pen: Glen Walters (4) | | Try: Saul Chase Roman Tutauha Con: Mark Davis (2) Pen: Mark Davis (3) Drop: Mark Davis |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 15 September 2012 14:30
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 25–19 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Michael Campbell Antony Fox Sean Curry Con: Josh Hamilton (2) Pen: Josh Hamilton (2) | | Try: Jason Laurich Con: David Harrison Pen: David Harrison (4) |
* Paraparaumu Domain, Paraparaumu
* 15 September 2012 14:30
| Buller | 31–19 | King Country |
| Try: Marty Banks Phil Beveridge Peni Nabainivalu William Saukuru Con: Marty Banks (4) Pen: Marty Banks | | Try: Simeli Koniferedi Dean Church Ben Draper Con: Sean Cressy Kurt Strachan |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 15 September 2012 14:30
| Poverty Bay | 31–13 | West Coast |
| Try: Adam Ross Henry Yortt Jason Tuapawa David Philander Con: Scott Leighton (3) | | Try: Sean McClure Troy Tauwhare Pen: Corey Deans |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 15 September 2012 14:30
| Mid Canterbury | 13–20 | East Coast |
| Try: Tukulua Tolu Con: Andrew Leatham Pen: Andrew Leatham Solomona Parahi | | Try: John Semple Everard Reid Con: John Semple (2) Pen: John Semple (2) |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 15 September 2012
| North Otago | 37–52 | South Canterbury |
| Try: Rowan McKenzie Matt Faddes Rangi Hepi Tony Lamborn Tom Verdonk Con: Tai Aholelei (3) Pen: Tai Aholelei (2) | | Try: Tenari Saumani Joeli Kotobolava Steven Burt Luke Brice Liam Edwards Con: Liam Edwards (4) Pen: Liam Edwards (2) Drop: Wally Wright |

### Week 5

* 22 September 2012 14:00
| Thames Valley | 28–18 | King Country |
| Try: Lance Easton Jackson Achilles Con: David Harrison (2) Pen: David Harrison (3) | | Try: Carl Alcock Simeli Koniferedi Dean Church Pen: Kurt Strachan |
* Boyd Park, Te Aroha
* 22 September 2012 14:30
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 31–15 | West Coast |
| Try: Dave Thompson Rob Millar L Tuiavi'i Con: Josh Hamilton (4) Pen: Josh Hamilton | | Try: Sean McClure Phil Thomson Con: Sean McClure Pen: Sean McClure |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 22 September 2012 14:30
| South Canterbury | 32–45 | Buller |
| Try: Nate Robinson John Andrews Stephen Burt Sam Vea Con: Liam Edwards (3) Pen: Liam Edwards (2) | | Try: William Sakuru Peni Naibainivalu Ilaisa Namua Bevan Te Tai Con: Marty Banks (4) Pen: Marty Banks (4) |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 22 September 2012 14:30
| East Coast | 25–17 | Wanganui |
| Try: Tau Moeke Ziggy Tisahoi Waimutu Chemis Con: John Semple (2) Pen: John Semple (2) | | Try: Sam Dibben Saul Chase Con: Mark Davis (2) Pen: Mark Davis |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 22 September 2012 14:30
| North Otago | 24–23 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Ulisoni Tahitua Billy Guyton Con: Hamish Buick Pen: Hamish Buick (3) Billy Guyton | | Try: Adam Ross Andrew Gardner Con: Scott Leighton Pen: Scott Leighton (2) |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru
* 22 September 2012 14:30
| Wairarapa Bush | 31–6 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: Cameron Hayton Tom Fleming Glen Walters Con: Glen Walters (2) Pen: Glen Walters (4) | | Pen: Ben Kitching (2) |
* Memorial Park, Masterton

### Week 6

* 29 September 2012 14:00
| Thames Valley | 38–53 | East Coast |
| Try: David Harrison Caleb Brown Jackson Achilles Jason Laurich Blake Hill Joseph Murray Con: David Harrison (3) Brook Tremayne | | Try: Whaimotu Craft-Chemis Brent Ingram John Semple Charlie Harrison Ziggy Fisiihoi Marty Lloyd Tau Moeke Con: John Semple (5) Pen: John Semple |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 29 September 2012 14:30
| Wanganui | 39–22 | North Otago |
| Try: Sam Dibben Rhema Sagote Saul Chase Ace Malo Vaan Rauhina Con: Ace Malo Mark Davis | | Try: Jack Wolfreys Tala Fagasoaia Chris Talanoa Con: Hamish Buick Ben Guyton Pen: Ben Guyton |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 29 September 2012 14:30
| King Country | 15–25 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Simeli Koniferedi Dean Church Con: Sean Cressy Pen: Sean Cressy | | Try: Inia Katia Nick Olsen Tom Fleming Con: Glen Walters (2) Pen: Glen Walters (2) |
* Owen Delany Park, Taupō
* 29 September 2012 14:30
| West Coast | 24–29 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: Brad Houston David Crouchley Con: Sean McClure (3) Pen: Phil Thomson | | Try: Manase Nonu Ben Kitching Hakarangi Tichborn Richard Catherwood Con: Solomona Paraki (3) Pen: Solomona Paraki |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth
* 29 September 2012 14:30
| Buller | 34–16 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: William Sakuru Marty Banks Andrew Norton Taylor Craig Moore Con: Marty Banks (4) Pen: Marty Banks (2) | | Try: Tainui Brown Con: Josh Hamilton Pen: Josh Hamilton (3) |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 29 September 2012 14:30
| Poverty Bay | 33–52 | South Canterbury |
| Try: John Lesi Nick Wilson David Philander Paula Tikomainaivalu Con: Scott Leighton (2) Pen: Scott Leighton (3) | | Try: Sam Vea Kali Latu Faiaitu Tuamoheloa Sekope Maea Jarrad Trevathan Eric Smith Liam Edwards Con: Liam Edwards (6) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne

### Week 7

* 6 October 2012 14:00
| Mid Canterbury | 48–12 | Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: Misi Salave Mac Sykes Richard Catherwood Toma Brown Faaleaupu Faatavaau Con: Solomona Paraki (5) Pen: Solomona Paraki | | Try: Dave Thompson Antony Fox Con: Josh Hamilton |
* Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
* 6 October 2012 14:00
| Thames Valley | 29–56 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Lance Easton David Harrison Con: David Harrison (2) Pen: David Harrison (5) | | Try: Kelvin Smith Paula Tikimainaivalu Moss Doran Adam Ross Josese Bolabasaga Con: Scott Leighton (5) Brad Turei (3) |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 6 October 2012 14:30
| West Coast | 19–12 | South Canterbury |
| Try: Brad Houston Con: Sean McClure Pen: Phil Thomson Sean McClure (3) | | Try: Jared Trevathan Liam Edwards Con: Liam Edwards |
* Rugby Park, Greymouth
* 6 October 2012 14:30
| East Coast | 56–24 | King Country |
| Try: John Semple Verdon Bartlett Pomare Samupo Whaimotu Craft-Chemis Ziggy Fisiihoi Everard Reid Brent Ingram Ben Parkes Con: John Semple (3) | | Try: Paul Olsen Dean Church Con: Sean Cressy Kurt Strachan |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 6 October 2012 14:30
| Wairarapa Bush | 21–28 | North Otago |
| Try: Nathan Hunt Byron Karaitiana Con: Glen Walters Pen: Glen Walters (3) | | Try: Jack Wolfreys Rowan McKenzie Eric Duff Tim O'Malley Con: Billy Guyton Pen: Billy Guyton Drop: Lemi Masoe |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 6 October 2012 14:30
| Wanganui | 39–12 | Buller |
| Try: Gene Ropoama Asalemo Malo Vance Pereka Moli Sagapolutele Con: Nick Harding (4) Pen: Nick Harding (2) | | Try: Apenise Ratugoleavanua Con: William Sakuru |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

### Week 8

* 13 October 2012 14:30
| Buller | 26–18 | West Coast |
| Try: James Foster William Sakuru Con: Marty Banks (2) Pen: Marty Banks (4) | | Try: Rowan O'Gorman Luke Hughes Con: Sean McClure Pen: Sean McClure (2) |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 13 October 2012 14:30
| Horowhenua-Kapiti | 5–31 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Perry Hayman | | Try: Jesse McGilvray Richard Puddy James Goodger Nick Olson Con: Glen Walters Pen: Glen Walters (3) |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 13 October 2012 14:30
| King Country | 19–22 | Wanganui |
| Try: Paul Olsen Simeli Koniferedi Con: Sean Cressy (2) | | Try: Rhema Sagote Matt Koubaridis Peter Rowe Con: Nick Harding (2) Pen: Nick Harding |
* Rugby Park, Te Kūiti
* 13 October 2012
| South Canterbury | 17–15 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: Liam Edwards Timaru Tafa Con: Liam Edwards | | Try: Tukulua Tolu Con: Solomona Paraki Pen: Solomona Paraki |
* Fraser Park, Timaru
* 13 October 2012 14:30
| North Otago | 28–7 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Tony Lamborn Billy Guyton Jack Wolfreys Chris Talanoa Con: Billy Guyton (4) | | Try: Richard Judd Con: David Harrison |
* Centennial Park, Oamaru
* 13 October 2012 15:00
| Poverty Bay | 14–24 | East Coast |
| Try: Moss Doran Pen: Scott Leighton (3) | | Try: Siegfried Fisiihoi Pomare Samupo Mike King Con: John Semple (2) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne

## Finals
### Semifinals

Meads Cup
* 20 October 2012 14:30
| East Coast | 26–15 | North Otago |
| Try: John Semple Brent Ingram Everard Reid Con: John Semple Pen: John Semple (3) | | Try: Tala Fagasila Jack Wolfreys Con: Billy Guyton Pen: Billy Guyton |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 20 October 2012 14:30
| Wanganui | 23–20 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Phil Chase Jon Smyth Con: Nick Harding (2) Pen: Nick Harding (3) | | Try: Nathan Hunt Inia Katia Con: Glen Walters (2) Pen: Glen Walters (2) |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
Lochore Cup
* 20 October 2012 14:30
| Buller | 42–22 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: James Foster Trael Joass Andrew Norton-Taylor Peni Nabainavalu Isei Lewaqai Con: Marty Banks (4) Pen: Marty Banks (2) Drop: Marty Banks | | Try: Beauden Waaka Ben Payne Con: Beauden Waaka (2) Pen: Scott Leighton |
* Victoria Square, Westport
* 20 October 2012 14:30
| South Canterbury | 48–20 | Mid Canterbury |
| Try: Stephen Burt Sam Vea Kali Latu Tenare Saumani Liam Edwards Afala Tailega Con: Liam Edwards (5) Pen: Liam Edwards | | Try: Ben Kitching Nick McKain Jon Dampney Con: Solomona Paraki Pen: Solomona Paraki |
* Fraser Park, Timaru

### Finals

Meads Cup
* 27 October 2012 13:35
| East Coast | 29–27 | Wanganui |
| Try: Tau Moeke Ziggy Fisiihoi Mike King Verdon Bartlett Con: John Semple (3) Pen: John Semple | | Try: Nick Cranston Rhema Sagote Asalemo Malo Con: Nick Harding (3) Pen: Nick Harding Drop: Areta Lama |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
Lochore Cup
* 28 October 2012 14:35
| Buller | 31–28 | South Canterbury |
| Try: Andrew Norton-Taylor Pene Nabainivalu Iliasa Namua Con: Marty Banks (2) Pen: Marty Banks (4) | | Try: Liam Edwards Kali Latu Con: Liam Edwards (2) Pen: Liam Edwards (3) |
* Victoria Square, Westport

## Statistics

Top 10 points scorers :
| Player | Team | Tries | Conversions | Penalties | Drop goals | Total |
| Glen Walters | Wairarapa Bush | 2 | 13 | 22 | 0 | 102 |
| Liam Edwards | South Canterbury | 5 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 89 |
| Marty Banks | Buller | 2 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 82 |
| David Harrison | Thames Valley | 1 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 76 |
| Mark Davis | Wanganui | 1 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 69 |
| Joel Semple | East Coast | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 65 |
| Kurt Strachan | King Country | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 48 |
| Scott Leighton | Poverty Bay | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 47 |
| Hamish Buick | North Otago | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 38 |
| Josh Hamilton | Horowhenua-Kapiti | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 32 |