Former England halfback returns to New Zealand for 2022 NPC season & More News Here

A former England participant who helped knock the All Blacks out of the 2019 World Cup has signed with Canterbury for the 2022 NPC season.

Kiwi-born halfback Willi Heinz will return to Canterbury after seven years overseas in England, the nation of which he performed 13 assessments for between 2019 and 2020.

Qualified for England by his grandmother, Heinz featured off the bench in England’s well-known 19-7 World Cup semi-final win over the All Blacks in 2019.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 17

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 17

The 33-year-old additionally made 100 appearances for Premiership membership Gloucester throughout his time in England, and was twice a runner-up with the membership within the second-tier European Challenge Cup.

After having spending the 2021-22 season with Worcester Warriors, Heinz returns to Canterbury after taking part in the final of his 52 matches for the province in 2015, the identical 12 months during which he made the final of his 58 outings for the Crusaders.

During his first spell with Canterbury, Heinz gained six nationwide titles between 2009 and 2015, and performed for the Crusaders within the 2014 Super Rugby ultimate.

A member of England’s title-winning Six Nations squad two years in the past, Heinz is again in Christchurch taking part in membership rugby for the Linwood Bulls, and is worked up by the prospect of a second stint with Canterbury.

“I loved my time in England and my family and I gained some incredible friends, had wonderful experiences, and feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience UK life,” Heinz mentioned in an announcement launched on Wednesday.

“It is awesome being back in Christchurch and seeing the remarkable transformation the city has gone through. There’s nothing quite like Canterbury.

“It’s where I grew up, where my family is, and to get the opportunity to play again for Canterbury is quite surreal really.

“It’s a real privilege to play for Canterbury you get to play in front of your friends and family and the style of rugby is really enjoyable.

“I’ve always felt so passionate about this team and feel as determined as ever to contribute to a successful season.

“The NPC is fast and fun, so it’s about enjoying our rugby but understanding the opportunity we have as a group to deliver something special for our people and inspire the next generation of young Cantabrians.”

News of Heinz’s return to Canterbury comes a day after it was introduced that former All Blacks flanker Matt Todd will probably be one in every of 4 new Canterbury coaches for the upcoming home season.

Canterbury will open its 2022 NPC marketing campaign towards Manawatu within the competitors’s season-opener at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North on August 5.