Front-rowers in Heartland XV

STU PIDDINGTON/Timaru Herald

FROM THE HEARTLAND: South Canterbury prop Savieti Fainga'a (left) and hooker Ben Hewitson have been selected for the Heartland XV.

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Two South Canterbury front rowers have been selected in the national Heartland XV.

Hooker Ben Hewitson and prop Savieti Fainga'a join the Wanganui-dominated side that will play the Marist XV in a special fixture in Masterton on November 14.

Wanganui's Meads Cup-winning form has seen eight of their players named, with eight of the 11 other provinces also contributing players.

The team was selected by former All Blacks selector Earle Kirton and Heartland XV coach Guy Lennox (Wanganui) and assistant coach Grainger Heikell (Poverty Bay).

South Canterbury number seven Eric Smith was the unlucky player, having toured with the side to the United States last year and was again in great form. Lennox said they had a tough job with so many players ineligible, but they were happy with the final team.

A couple of those in the frame but not meeting the criteria were South Canterbury halfback Sekope Maea and utility forward Tui Tauelangi.

"It's a bit of a shame but I understand Tauelangi has represented Tonga and Maea does not meet the three-year rule," Lennox said.

"Maea was outstanding against us and the halftime score would have been 60 or 70 without him. He's pretty sharp with a lot of ability."

Of those eligible from South Canterbury Lennox said Smith was in the unlucky category.

"It was certainly very close, but with a squad of only 22 we could only take one specialist."

Smith missed out to Wanganui's Peter Rowe.

Lennox said South Canterbury number eight Andrew Scarlett was also originally in the frame.

"I guess Wanganui players had the advantage of going to the final and winning it well."

Young West Coast second five-eighth Josh Cornish was one to benefit from his side making the Lochore Cup final. South Canterbury however can't grumble with two of their players ineligible and two making the team, as beaten Meads Cup finalist Mid Canterbury had only two make the side also, utility Jon Dampney and tighthead prop Jason Rickard.

It is great reward for Savieti, one of the real workhorses of the South Canterbury side. He debuted in 2000 and was capped 73 times for South Canterbury. He has been in vintage form this year, superb both in the front row and around the paddock.

Hewitson's selection comes as a surprise after just recovering from injury.

In fact his return was likely to see the 35-year-old Savieti forced back on to the bench, but coach Ken Wills decided he needed to retain Savieti and put him into tighthead prop.

That utility factor also played a part in his selection.

Hewitson will be pinching himself after injury ruled him out early in the season.

However, he has come back strongly and impressed the selectors with his work rate and mobility in only his second season in Heartland rugby.

Provincial union and community rugby general manager Brent Anderson welcomed the team naming as great recognition for the Heartland players and a celebration of Heartland rugby talent.

"There is a huge honour in rugby to be able to pull on the black jersey and play for a national side that represents the best of community and Heartland rugby."

Anderson said while it was initially thought a Heartland XV would not assemble this year, "it's great that we have been able to offer the team a one-off match against a team made up of Marist players from throughout the country and we thank New Zealand Marist for fielding a team".

2009 Heartland XV: Cole Baldwin, Cameron Crowley, Matthew Gilbert, David Gower, Fraser Hammond, Peter Rowe, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Lasa Ulukuta (Wanganui); Josh Cornish, James Ferguson (West Coast); Jon Dampney, Jason Rickard, (Mid Canterbury); Aarin Dunster, Kane Quinlan (King Country); Jason Forrest, Leiataua Limuloa-Tahafee (North Otago); Ben Hewitson, Faianga'a Savieti (South Canterbury); Scott Leighton, Sione Ngatu (Poverty Bay); Kevin Moore (Buller); Nick Olson (Wairarapa Bush).