Three North Otago players have eased the pain of a season collapse by earning selection in a national team.
Josh Clark, Mone Samate and Junior Fakatoufifita were all named in the New Zealand Heartland XV yesterday.
The squad of 23 features representatives of 10 of the 12 Heartland Championship unions, and 11 potential debutants, for games against Canterbury Development and the New Zealand Barbarians.
Both Samate and Fakatoufifita were in the Heartland squad last year.
Flying winger Samate was again the most dangerous back for the Old Golds, who started promisingly but fell away before being upset by Poverty Bay in the Lochore Cup semifinal.
No 8 Fakatoufifita, all muscle and pump, was arguably North Otago’s best player for a second straight season.
Veteran lock Clark previously made the Heartland XV in 2014 and 2019, named player of the season in the latter year as the Old Golds won their third Meads Cup.
He played barely any rugby this year before fronting up each week in the gold jersey.
South Canterbury, who won a third consecutive Meads Cup, supply seven players to the Heartland squad, and beaten finalists Whanganui five.
Heartland XV coach Nigel Walsh, who led the Old Golds before guiding South Canterbury to their dominant run, said there was a thorough process during player selections and he was impressed with each individual throughout the season.
"Every player listed stood out during the Heartland competition and I’ve got a good mix of experience across the board.
"I’m pleased to have Sam Briggs and Dane Whale as part of the campaign who will be key game drivers for our team."
Douglas Horrocks (Whanganui) will join his cousin, Lindsay Horrocks, who has made nine appearances in the Heartland XV jersey, the same amount of times as returning veteran William Wright.
"It’s invaluable to have Lindsay and William on board as they know what’s expected when we get into a camp like this," Walsh said.
"They’re good leaders and have a lot of mana from players and coaches around them."
The Heartland XV will play Canterbury Development in Methven (November 1) and the New Zealand Barbarians in Oamaru (November 4).
Heartland XV
The squad
Josh Clark, Junior Fakatoufifita, Mone Samate (North Otago), Adam Williamson (Mid Canterbury), Connor Anderson, Finlay Joyce, Paula Fifita, Sam Briggs, Tokoma’ata Fakatava, Vaka Taelega, William Wright (South Canterbury), Dane Whale, Douglas Horrocks, Lindsay Horrocks, Peceli Malanicagi, Peter-Tavis Hay-Horton (Whanganui), Fletcher Morgan (Thames Valley), Kaleb Foote (King Country), Keanu Taumata (Poverty Bay), Leopino Maupese (Buller), Renata Roberts-Te Nana (East Coast), Shayne Anderson, Tyler Kearns (West Coast).
