Heinz extends Gloucester stay
Arriving at the club at the beginning of last season from the Crusaders, having overcome a nasty leg injury, the Christchurch born player has become a regular in the first team squad, displaying great leadership skills when captaining the team on a number of occasions.
The dependable operator has proved his worth in Cherry and White, making 24 appearances to date, recently skippering the team in the testing European Rugby Challenge Cup win in Bayonne.
Director of Rugby David Humphreys has been busy over the Anglo-Welsh Cup period, working behind the scenes on squad retention, in addition to the signing of Carl Fearns, with Heinz the latest to agree a contract extension.
Humphreys admitted he's very happy to secure the services of another key member of the first team squad.
"Willi [Heinz] has been a really important part of the squad since his arrival. He was one of the first players that we signed at the club, and I'm excited to see what more he has to give in Cherry and White.
"What Willi [Heinz] brings to the squad both on matchday and during the week is hugely valuable, with his input, his leadership and his knowledge of the game, as well as his calmness on it.
"We have an exciting pool of young halfbacks at the club, and they all pay testament to what they can learn from Willi [Heinz] as well as Greig Laidlaw,"
The 29-year old spoke to the club website about the decision to sign a new deal.
"When I arrived at the club from Crusaders last summer, I was taken aback by the welcome I received from the squad, the staff and the supporters, and I have been made to feel really at home in Gloucestershire.
"Behind the scenes I have loved the environment in the squad, and the drive that we all have to improve and drive this club forward.
"I look forward to what is next for me at the club. I'm still working hard to improve my game, and I hope to contribute to the team and the squad as we look to achieve our goals,"
