Sam Madams form this year in the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship demanded selection in the NZ Heartland XV.
Sam Madams form this year in the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship demanded selection in the NZ Heartland XV.
Saurday's Meads Cup final will line up seven players selected for the New Zealand Heartland XV's annual fixture against NZ Marist for the McRae Cup in Timaru next weekend.
Among them are Steeform Wanganui's Craig Clare, Bryn Hudson and Sam Madams.
It is a high turnover from 2016 with onlyseven of the 23 players being returnees, although it is No8 Hudson's second stint after being in the 2015 NZ Heartland team.
Bryn Hudson played for New Zealand Heartland XV against NZ Marist in Levin in 2015.
Clare and Madams will both make their debuts - utility back Clare adding another representative jersey to his long resume which includes the Highlanders, Otago, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty - while the elevation of 27-year-old lock Madams is well deserved after a stellar Heartland season.
"We had a good culture last season so we will look to build on that, do some one-on-one coaching and make sure it's an enjoyable week; it is a thrill for these guys to represent their provinces in this team."
Heartland defeated NZ Marist 35-14 last season in Papakura, with Marist coached by Wanganui's Jason Hamlin and including locals Simon Dibben and Josaia Bogileka.
The match will be played at Alpine Energy Stadium next weekend, kickoff 2.30pm.
The New Zealand Heartland XV squad is: Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti); Craig Clare (Wanganui); Kieran Coll (South Canterbury); Ralph Darling (North Otago); Eric Duff (Mid Canterbury); Anthony Ellis (Buller); Matt Fetu (South Canterbury); Bryn Hudson (Wanganui); Nathan Kendrick (Horowhenua Kapiti); Melikisua Kolinisau (North Otago); Seta Koroitamana (Mid Canterbury); Sam Madams (Wanganui); Lemi Masoe (North Otago); Siosiua Moala (Poverty Bay); Willie Paia'aua (Horowhenua Kapiti); Jarred Percival (Mid Canterbury); Ethan Pollock (Horowhenua Kapiti); Tom Reekie (West Coast); Ethine Reeves (Poverty Bay); Maleli Sau (Mid Canterbury); Andrew Stephens (Buller); Nick Strachan (South Canterbury); Willie Wright (South Canterbury).