1
Worcester statement: Willi Heinz has left with immediate effect
By Liam Heagney
Former England scrum-half Willi Heinz has been released from his contract with Worcester by mutual agreement to return to his native New Zealand. The 35-year-old joined Warriors from Gloucester last summer and made a promising start to his career at Sixways by scoring tries in each of his first two games against London Irish and Harlequins.
However, after four appearances, he was then sidelined for five months by a groin injury before returning to action in the Gallagher Premiership defeat at London Irish on March 5. Heinz went on to end his Worcester career on a high note, helping them to a 35-31 victory over Exeter at Sixways eleven days ago.
That was his last appearance for the club and a Worcester statement read: “Heinz’s family recently returned to New Zealand and Warriors are fully supportive of his request to re-join them there.
“Heinz played for and captained Canterbury in New Zealand’s ITM Cup and also played for Christchurch-based Crusaders in Super Rugby before he joined Gloucester ahead of the 2015/16 season. Having qualified to play for England, Heinz won 13 caps between 2019 and 2020 and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.”
Steve Diamond is now at the Worcester helm but it was last September when ex-head coach Jonathan Thomas explained to RugbyPass how Heinz, one of their multiple off-season signs, had settled in at the club.
"I hate singling out players because they have all added value," he said. "Like, Willie Heinz has got huge experience but he is also really selfless and has a good mindset for growing other players, especially our younger players."
A deep breath was needed counting up all the comings and goings last summer at the Warriors as 21 players were ushered out through the exit door at Sixways and 18 others arrived in through the entrance, but there have been further changes since then with Diamond now in charge.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wales player ratings vs England | 2025 Six Nations
3
Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2025 Six Nations
4
England explain plan for possible Ellis Genge absence versus Wales
5
Latest Comments
BEST AND REAL LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING BACK YOUR EX LOVER HE IS SO PERFECT MY IS FINE AND SHE BACK WITH ME LIVING HAPPILY ALL THANKS TO DOCTOR ABDUL LOVE SPELL CONTACT HIM ON WHATSAPP +2348081728256
Go to commentsI'm aware. England were only able to play that way because they were dominating the gainline and getting very quick ball. We won't be allowed those liberties against better sides and of course will have to kick much more but England's approach has been far too skewed towards low risk rugby. Their kick to pass ratio per possession was double that of France and their average ruck speed almost twice as slow. However, England brutally put Wales at the Principality to the sword today and it was the first performance under Borthwick where I felt the players were truly trusted to play what was in front of them. Even against Italy with a big lead we started box kicking at 50 mins and killed all momentum. The times England have looked best - 2nd half against France, Ireland last year and today are all games where they've played with positivity and backed themselves to counter attack and play multiphase rugby. The Scotland game we barely went more than 2 phases without kicking, that is not a recipe for success. Kick a lot and get in the right areas of the field, Roebuck was excellent today on kick chase but we need to back our players to move the ball and play multiphase rugby when we get in the right areas of the field and today we took a big confident step forward.
Go to comments