Hawke's Bay Rugby League chairman Dion Te Ahu said Huddleston's selection is proof players can still make the big time if they are prepared to put in the work.
"From the feedback I've got from the Vipers coaching staff and others in Auckland I have no doubt Chanel will make the last cut for the Cup if she continues to maintain her high standards. Her versatility - she can play in the forwards or backs - is a big asset," Te Ahu said.
"While I was thrilled for Chanel I was equally as chuffed for the Vipers who not only backed up my pick of a top-four finish but went one place better finishing higher than an Auckland team in the process. And the Vipers only contained players from Manawatu and Hawke's Bay," Te Ahu added.
Huddleston last played for the Kiwis Ferns at the Auckland Nines in 2015 after playing a substitute's role in a 12-8 test win against the Australian Jillaroos in November 2014. She is no stranger to major international events. When she was a member of the Aotearoa Maori Sevens team Huddleston played at three Hong Kong Sevens tournaments and at Twickenham.
Should the former Hawke's Bay Tuis women's rugby team player-coach, who still holds the record for the most first-class appearances for the team with 64 from 2001-14 make the cut it will be another chapter in an outstanding comeback from an 18-month suspension. She successfully appealed to the New Zealand union and got it reduced to 14 months, after receiving the stand-down for physical and verbal abuse of a referee during a Hawke's Bay women's club rugby game in 2015.
Last year she was a key player for MAC as they won Hawke's Bay's premier women's rugby and league competitions. Her Vipers team won the Fair Play award at the weekend's nationals and manager Jackie Tuala won the Manager of the Tournament award.
Blake, who impressed coach Tuala, with her workrate was one of the Vipers tryscorers in the playoff for third.
Defending champions Counties Manukau Stingrays retained their title with a thrilling 18-14 win against last year's runners-up Akarana Falcons in the final. Auckland-based former Hawke's Bay player Annabelle Hohepa, who has been a regular Kiwi Fern over the years, has made the squad of 30.