Wanganui Marist teenagers Griffin Culver and Reuben Kellow were the pride of their club this month after selection in the Southern Region U13 team to play Northern in Auckland.
The November 3 game at the College Rifles club ground was the curtain raiser to the New Zealand Marist v Heartland XV game, which also featured several Wanganui players.
Culver's father Tony said the boys had to send in resumes outlining their abilities to be chosen from the Marist clubs around New Zealand.
Traditionally the fixture has been North Island v South Island, but the North's total domination saw the selection boundary shifted with Wellington, Wanganui and Palmerston North players bolstering the southern ranks.
It worked well, as the South overcame a slow start to win 36-31.
Kellow, playing lock as opposed to his preferred openside flank, was among the tryscorers, while Culver switched from halfback to centre and pulled off a couple of try-saving tackles.
Both boys have been Wanganui Under 11 and Under 13 reps.