There are 10 newcomers to representative rugby in the 28-strong Steelform Wanganui squad named to prepare for next month's Bruce Steel Memorial Cup defence against Wairarapa-Bush.
New selector-coach Karl Hoskin and his assistant Daniel Rolls have named 14 backs and 14 forwards for three nights of training at Cooks Gardens to prepare for the Steel Cup which will be played at the same ground at 4pm on July 3.
There are 17 of last year's rep players missing from a squad picked from players who attended pre-season fitness runs.
The squad includes 10 who took the field in the Meads Cup final against East Coast last year when Wanganui led 27-3 but finally lost 29-27.
Champions Ruapehu, unbeaten this season, provide 14 players in a group selected after a Queen's Birthday Monday training session at Cooks Gardens, including New Zealand Heartland skipper and Player of the Year Peter Rowe, the most experienced member of the squad with 82 caps since 2003.
Three other Ruapehu 2012 Heartland reps, lock Nick Cranston, prop Kim McNaught and flanker Fraser Hammond, have also been named.
Heartland reps missing are first-five Mark Davis (Border), who is not available, half-back Matt Koubaridis (in Tauranga) and loose forward Darren Munro, now with Petone.
The selectors have indicated several others, including Munro, - as a player of origin - could be in contention when the final Heartland squad is named after the Wanganui club finals on August 10.
There will be a training camp at Waiouru on August 16-18, including a game against a Defence Force XV, before the final 26-man squad is named for the opening Heartland qualifying match against King Country at Cooks Gardens on August 24.
Players who repped for Wanganui last year but have missed selection so far include backs Johnny Mow and Denning Tyrell (Pirates), Moli Sagapolutele (Marton), Vance Pereka (Ratana) and Mark Davis (Border), and forwards Junior Tume (Pirates), Keith Shaw (Utiku OB), and Cole Baldwin and Andrew Retallick (Border). Also missing is former Heartland rep Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates).
The selectors stressed that only those who attended the pre-season training were considered.
Newcomers to the squad are backs Zyon Hekenui and Tautahi Rawiri (Ruapehu), Lindsay Horrocks (Border), Tukirikiri Manawatu (Marton), Sailoso Naqiso and Aaron Yadiga (Border), and forwards Lucas Putts (Marton), Kim McNaught, Sonny Woodmass and Karl Parker (Ruapehu).
The squad, with number of Wanganui appearances, is:
Backs
Fullbacks: Asalemo Malo (Kaierau 47), Zyon Hekenui.
Three-quarters: Tremaine Gilbert (Taihape 14), Robert Hughes (Ruapehu 1), Pehira Huwyler (Ruapehu 9), Manawatu, Sailoso Naqiso, Tautahi Rawiri, Aaron Yadiga.
First fives: Areta Lama (Kaierau 14), Tom Wells (Taihape 1).
Halfbacks: Sean Brown (Marist 22), Josh Edwards (Kaierau 31), Lindsay Horrocks.
Forwards
Loose: Andrew Evans (Ruapehu 41), Bradley Graham (Marist 3), Fraser Hammond (Ruapehu 49), Jason Hughes (Ruapehu 10), Peter Rowe (Ruapehu 82).
Locks: Nick Cranston (Ruapehu 20), Sam Madams (Border 2), Sonny Woodmass.
Props: Shaun McDonough (Ruapehu 51), McNaught, Lucas Putts, Vaan Rauhina (Ratana 45).
Hookers: Karl Parker, Roman Tutauha (Ruapehu 11).
The first training run is next Wednesday at Cooks Gardens at 6.30pm.