The 29-year-old has had a season to remember with Japanese club Suntory, climaxing in the weekend with the side winning the Top League in Japan.
Wheeler was also one of the five Suntory players picked in the league's top XV. Also selected was evergreen Australian flanker George Smith.
Wheeler's side won the Top League over the weekend when it defeated Kobe Steelers 27-15 to complete an unbeaten season.
Yamaha was the only team which could have passed Suntory before the final games of the season but the Suntory victory sealed the championship for the side.
It was some comeback from the Suntory team which finished ninth last season.
Wheeler had signed for the Japanese side for a year and was seen as a key player, leading the lineout and being part of a committed forward pack which paved the way to victory.
After his success, it would be no surprise if he went back to Japan for another year.
He is contracted with the Highlanders for just this year.
Former Pirates and Harbour forward Solomon T-Pole is listed as a member of the Suntory squad.
Traditionally, the Japanese season has gone into playoffs to decide the overall winner but this has been scrapped this season and Suntory crowned champion.
Suntory will look to complete the double when it takes part in the season-ending All-Japan Championship along with Yamaha, third-placed Panasonic Wild Knights and collegiate champion Teikyo University.
Yamaha has former Highlanders Siale Piutau and Mose Tuiali'i in its ranks while Panasonic Wild Knights has Highlanders midfielders Richard Buckman in its squad.
Buckman dislocated his shoulder at the start of last season and did not play for the Highlanders last year. He has got back up to match fitness through his time at Panasonic.
Wheeler, Buckman and winger Patrick Osborne, who is playing in Japan for Kubota Spears, are all due back in Dunedin some time over the next month.
