Dexter Buchanan (20), Tyler Schreurs (23) and Shawn Gielen-Relph (21) have been named in the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Institutions world cup squad.
A 23-man squad will join seven other teams at the tournament to be held at four venues in Yorkshire, England, in July.
Buchanan, working towards a double degree in physical education and nutrition, said just to play in the trial in January was a great experience, but to be named in the final squad was hard to believe.
Schreurs, studying exercise science and physical education, said to be selected was a ''real buzz''. The first person he called was his mother.
All three players are University of Otago students, but Gielen-Relph is living in Wellington for the next three years while completing a medical degree.
He was just as surprised and happy as his team-mates when he learned he had been selected.
''I couldn't believe it all came together like that,'' Gielen-Relph said.
The three men have been playing for the University club for the past three years and credit lifetime member and coach Ray Fitiao, and Otago Whalers coach David Reedy, with developing their skills.
''Ray started it all, I think,'' Gielen-Relph said.
''He ignited the passion. David encouraged us all the way, but it was Ray that fuelled the fire.''
Fitiao, who played prop in the 1989 and 1992 student world cup side, said he was ''proud, excited and elated for all the boys.''
''They are all three really good guys who learn well, are physically in great shape and love playing the game,'' he said.
Fitiao said each player had his own strengths.
''Tyler is as tough as teak, Dexter is rangy with good gas, and Shawn is a rugged, thinking player.''
New Zealand Universities coach Trevor Clark could not be reached for comment, but media communications officer and council board member Carey Clements said to have three players selected was fantastic for Otago rugby league.
It carried on a long tradition of Otago student representation dating back to the 1960s. Clements said it showed that, although the competition in Dunedin might not be as strong as those in other cities, the talent was there and the passion was second to none.
For the past two years, all three players have been in the Otago Whalers representative team, where they play second-rower or lock, positions they also play for their club.
Whalers coach David Reedy said the men's selection was an example of the ''higher pathways players could achieve'' and both he and the board were extremely proud.
Buchanan and Schreurs said they would love to play in the NRL, but if that did not happen, they would like to incorporate their studies with sport and take a role within a professional club.
Gielen-Relph said he would be happy to go into the medical profession and play rugby league as a part-time passion.
For now, all three are looking forward to experiencing a new country, after they have each raised $5000 to make the trip.
Australia is the reigning world university champion. The tournament has been contested seven times since 1986. Australia has won four times and New Zealand three.
The Otago University club, founded in 1954, is the oldest in the country. Former players of note include Steve Martin, New Zealand Rugby League's southern zone general manager and former Otago rugby coach, and former New Zealand cricketer-turned-administrator Martin Snedden.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew played for New Zealand Universities in the early 1980s.
