Prop Kelepi Funaki, No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita and utility back Mataitini Feke have booked their tickets for a two-game tour of Samoa.
The Old Golds did not have a single player accorded Heartland honours last year, so getting three in the black jersey is a significant achievement.
It is the third time Fakatoufifita, back to his damaging best for the Old Golds as they charged to victory in the Lochore Cup, has been named in the Heartland XV.
Both Funaki and Feke will be on debut.
Funaki returned to Heartland rugby after a year off and was ever present as he led the North Otago scrum from loosehead with power and a vigorous workrate.
Feke, who is mainly a second five but is also an accomplished halfback, was at his creative and cheeky best as he played a key role in an Old Golds team that could score tries from anywhere.
New Heartland XV coach David Harrison (Thames Valley) named 14 newcomers in his squad of 27 for the Samoan tour.
Unsurprisingly, Mid Canterbury supply the most players — eight — after charging to Meads Cup glory with an unbeaten season.
Key Hammers like first five Tom Reekie, flanker Declan McCormack and fullback Hugh Cameron will likely play similar roles in the black jersey.
Beaten Meads Cup finalists Thames Valley supply six players and King Country four.
Adam Williamson (Mid Canterbury) and Kaleb Foote (King Country) earn Heartland honours for a fourth time.
Former Old Golds lock Anthony Amato is the only player picked from South Canterbury, but Willie Wright and Tokoma’ata Fakatava have been listed as injured, so would presumably have been selected.
"This year’s competition was extremely competitive and full of quality players,’’ Harrison said.
"I look forward to connecting with the team next week to start preparations for an exciting tour to Samoa."
The Heartland XV players assemble on October 29.
They play two games at Taula Stadium, against a President’s XV on November 4 and Manuma Samoa on November 8.
Heartland XV
The squad
Adam Williamson, Hugh Cameron, Declan McCormack, Hunter Stewart, Jackson Donlan, Tom Reekie, Toetu Touli, Manasa Samo (all Mid Canterbury), Alekesio Vakarorogo, Ethan Robinson (Whanganui), Anthony Amato (South Canterbury), Cameron Dromgool, Kenan Gillson, Lesen Huiarangi, Logan Allen, Quinn Collard, Sione Etoni (Thames Valley), Kahn Fotuali’i (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Kristian Gent-Standen, Kaleb Foote, Liam Rowlands, Tom Ryan (King Country), Kelepi Funaki, Mataitini Feke, Junior Fakatoufifita (North Otago), Samual Walton-Sexton, Tupou Lea'aemanu (Wairarapa-Bush).
