A superb year for King Country has seen Reeve Satherly named in the New Zealand Heartland XV set to tour the South Island in early November. Photo Supplied.
King Country Rams and Taupō Marist loose forward Reeve Satherly is just a couple of games away from winning everything he’s been involved with this season.
By Brayden Lindsay
Satherly helped his Taupō Marist team to victory in the King Country Premier Rugby Competition as they took out the Meads Shield.
He was then a key figure for the Rams as they went on to Heartland Championship glory.
Now he’s part of the New Zealand Heartland XV that features fellow Rams teammates Kaharoa Takuira-Mita, Liam Rowlands, Carey Cornelius-Peina, Kristian Gent-Standen and Hone Mathieson, while King Country head coach Aarin Dunster is also part of the set-up.
All of the players but Mathieson play for clubs in Tūrangi or Taupō meaning he knows most of his teammates who have also made the NZ Heartland squad.
Satherly said it’s been one of his favourite years on the footy field this season.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the season this year, first time back in the group after a couple seasons abroad and it exceeded all my expectations. It has been a special year with the Rams.”
Making the Heartland XV is always something Satherly’s aspired to do.
“It was definitely something that I’ve wanted to do and I mean it’s just the cherry on top really, has been an amazing year and to be named in the squad is such an honour and great way to finish this year of footy.”
They head south to Timaru for a couple of games against a touring Samoan side.
It's his first time making the NZ squad and he can’t wait to get stuck in.
“This will be my first time in the Heartland XV, I’m just going to make the most of the opportunity, learn as much as I can and just enjoy the campaign with the team.
“I’m really looking forward to getting into camp and meeting all the lads. We aren’t together for long so just super excited to rip in and get into it.
“I’m expecting a physical encounter, they will be big, fast and agile so it will be a tough couple of games against them but am excited for the challenge.”
He’s stoked to have several of his King Country team members in the side alongside him.
“It’s really cool and just makes the whole experience so much more special being able to do it alongside my Rams brothers.”
Like many youngsters Satherly grew up around the sport of rugby.
“I have played ever since I could, I remember running around as a young fella on those frosty mornings in bare feet with my mates complaining to mum and dad that my feet hurt, and I am even playing with some of those boys today which is cool.”
He said it was super special being part of the first ever Ram’s team to bring home the trophy named after one of New Zealand’s greatest ever players.
“Now that it’s over I’ve finally had to time process what it means and it’s just so special to be able to create history as a team and as a union on a whole.
“King Country is such a proud rugby union and being able to bring the Meads Cup home to where it belongs means so much. It’s still hard to put into words now, but it just means so much.”
Not surprisingly he looks up to former Rams stalwart, hardman and now coach Dunster.
“In the King Country region it’s hard to look past Aarin Dunster, our head coach. He was a leader on the field in his playing day and now leads us off it in a coaching role. Awesome man and someone you’d go to battle for week in week out.”
While winning adds to the enjoyment Satherly said he’s just happy going into battle alongside great blokes on and off the field.
“Looking back from the start of the year to now it’s been a crazy year, I have just been fortunate enough to be a part of two great teams in Taupō Marist and King Country Rams and to now be selected for a third in the New Zealand Heartland XV is special and a great way to finish what has been an outstanding season so far.”
Satherly feels like his game has really improved the past few campaigns.
“Yeah it definitely has, I think being in different environments as I’ve grown up and having different roles including leadership roles has helped grow my game in different ways.
“I’ve had such great coaches along the way and am grateful for all they’ve helped me with. Going overseas to Ireland was a massive learning curve but has helped develop my game so much and was an awesome experience on top of all the learnings.”
Following the Heartland XV games Satherly is just looking forward to enjoying summer with friends and family and letting his body rest and recover for next year.