15 Nov 2014

Sport: NZ focussed on challenge with Cook Islands

11:20 am on 15 November 2014

The New Zealand Heartland XV coach says his side remains focussed ahead of today's match against a Cook Islands Residents team despite thrashing them by more than 50 points in the first game earlier this week.

Kurt McQuilkin's team, made up of lower level provincial players in New Zealand, also beat a New Zealand Marist XV at the start of their tour.

McQuilkin says the players remain motivated.

"We are looking first and foremost to go undefeated in this tour so I guess it's concentrating on going over our review process, going through what we did well and what we didn't quite so well and try and improve in those areas we didn't do so well. But I am sure the Cooks will bring another strong challenge and we are looking forward to the challenge also.