Wanganui four in Heartland squad

Ruapehu forward Peter Rowe (with ball), a two-time winner of the Heartland Player of the Year, has again been named captain of the national squad. PHOTO/FILE

Four Wanganui players have been named in the national 24-man Heartland rugby squad despite poor performances by their representative side during the Pink Batts championship this season.

Shaun McDonough, Nick Cranston, Peter Rowe and Lasa Ulukuta, all forwards, have no doubt been selected for their experience, rather than form during the representative season which ends this weekend.

However, with Wanganui failing to make either the Meads or Lochore Cup finals the foursome will have extra time off before tackling the opening matches against New Zealand Defence Force in Methven on Tuesday, November 5, and New Zealand Marist in Timaru on Saturday, November 9.

Wanganui Heartland manager Chris Back will manage the national team for the fifth year on end, while Rowe has yet again been selected to skipper the team.

Wanganui Rugby Union chief executive Dale Cobb agreed all four Wanganui players had contributed plenty to the national Heartland squad during their various stints in the side.

Rowe has captained the Heartland XV in recent years and has won the Heartland Player of the Year twice - in 2010 and 2012.

"In fact, Wanganui has produced the last five players of the year in succession - Cameron Crowley (2008), Aseali Tikoirotuma (2009), Peter Rowe (2010, 2012) and John Smythe (2011). We traditionally have eight or nine Wanganui players named in the national side and I guess it's come down to the competitiveness of this season's Pink Batts championship and eligibility issues," Cobb said.

Many of this year's representative sides have fielded loan players who are ineligible for national selection.

New Zealand Heartland XV head coach Kurt McQuilkin (King Country) and assistant coach Gerard Scott (South Canterbury) supported by selector Earl Kirton have named a cross section of players from across the Pink Batts Heartland Championship with representatives from nine sides, including three players from Meads Cup Finalists North Otago and four players from hosts Mid Canterbury. The squad features 10 debutants in the Heartland XV black jersey.

New Zealand Rugby chairman Mike Eagle said those selected would wear the Heartland XV jersey with pride and do their best to represent Heartland Rugby and their unions well.

"For many players, pulling on the coveted Heartland XV black jersey is a huge achievement in their rugby careers and a truly special experience.

"Traditionally, matches against New Zealand Defence and New Zealand Marist sides have been very competitive, providing a great showcase for some of the most impressive players of the Pink Batts Heartland Championship."

McQuilkin said the competitiveness of the Pink Batts Championship this year, with some players moving up to ITM Cup, ensured there was a number of players across all the sides vying for contention

"We're confident we've got great depth at all positions, with a good blend of experience and youth in the squad.

"The competition for places in a number of positions was very tight, such as lock and loosies, with a number of homegrown players excelling this year. We've also got some exciting talent coming in on the wing and at full back who have made the squad for the first time."

The team assembles in Timaru on Friday, November 1.