Former Baysie player Nathan Hunt selected for The NZ Heartland XV
Assistant Coach Kurt McQuilkin (King Country), supported by selector Earle Kirton have named their squad of 24 for a three-match tour including two matches in Samoa next month.
The Heartland XV side will play matches against New ZealandMarist in Auckland on Saturday 3 November, before departing for Samoa for amatch against the Samoan NPC Champions on Tuesday 6 November and against Samoa A on Saturday 10 November.
The squad features seven players from Meads Cup Finalists Wanganui, and three from fellow Finalists East Coast, while Lochore Cup Finalists South Canterbury and Buller are well represented with four and two members respectively named in the squad.
This is the third visit to Samoafor the representative side from the Heartland with tours in 1993 and 2000by the Divisional XV, which in 2006 became the Heartland XV.
New ZealandRugby Union Chairman Mike Eagle said wearing the Heartland XV black jersey and competing in a three-match series was something Heartland rugby players aspired to.
"The Heartland XV games over the years have been exciting encounters and a great showcase for the stand-out players of the Heartland Championship. The three-match series will be a captivating finale to what has already been astand-out Heartland Championship.
"It is also quite fitting that we take the Heartland XV to Samoain the 50th year of Samoa's independence and the Friendship Treaty between New Zealand and Samoa.
"Samoa is a close Pacific neighbour and we share a great love for rugby, and a common pride in the Samoan players who have played their rugby in New Zealand."
Head Coach Grainger Heikell saidthose selected would be looking forward to representing their unions and showcasing the competitive Heartland Championship.
"The series is great recognition of Heartland rugby and the importance it has in our communities.
"We've seen some very talented boys out there this season which made a final 24 hard to pick. I'm confident we'll now go into the games with a strong team,determined to demonstrate the strength of community rugby in New Zealand against our Pacific neighbours."
The 2012 Heartland XV Squad is:
Ben Coman - Buller Nic Cranston - Wanganui Ralph Darling - North Otago Mark Davis - Wanganui Aarin Dunster - King Country Matt Fetu - South Canterbury Billy Guyton - North Otago Fraser Hammond - Wanganui Cameron Hayton - Wairarapa Bush Nathan Hunt - WairarapaBush Mat Koubaridis - Wanganui Kali Latu - South Canterbury Lemisio Masoe - North Otago Shaun McDonough - Wanganui Tau Moeke - East Coast Darren Munro - Wanganui Sione Ngatu - Poverty Bay Peter Rowe - Wanganui Pomare Samupo - East Coast Ngarimu Simpkins - East Coast Andrew Stephens - Buller Brook Tremayne - Thames Valley Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa - South Canterbury Nathan Tubb - South Canterbury
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