At a glance

5. Keith Robinson (Thames Valley) – born, Te Aroha; last school, Te Aroha College. All Blacks tests: 12 (2002-07).

Robinson appeared infrequently for the All Blacks before injury troubles ended his career prematurely in 2007 when the former Chiefs lock was 30.

As well as representing Taranaki (2000-01) and Waikato (2002-07), Robinson played for his home province from 1998-99 after emerging from Te Aroha College. His Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs followed in 2001.

New Zealand’s best Heartland XV in the professional era:*

15. Christian Cullen (HorowhenuaKa¯piti) 14. Hosea Gear (Poverty Bay) 13. Rico Gear (Poverty Bay)

12. Charlie Ngatai (Poverty Bay) 11. Zac Guildford (Wairarapa Bush)

10. Carlos Spencer (HorowhenuaKa¯piti) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Poverty Bay) 8. Ron Cribb (Wanganui) 7. Richie McCaw (c) (North Otago) 6. Jackson Hemopo (Wanganui) 5. Keith Robinson (Thames Valley) 4. Dion Waller (King Country) 3. Atu Moli (Poverty Bay) 2. Dane Coles (Horowhenua-Ka¯piti) 1. Carl Hoeft (Thames Valley)

*The selected players were considered if they were born or educated in one of the 12 Heartland Championship regions. Statistics were sourced from

stats.allblacks.com.

4. Dion Waller (King Country) – born, Turangi; last school, Tauhara College. All Blacks tests: 1 (2001).

Waller’s first provincial years were with King Country from 1995-96 before a two-year spell with the now-defunct Central Vikings.

Having played for the Hurricanes from 1996-2002, the Turangi lock joined Wellington in 1999 and, in a career that concluded with spells in Japan and Italy, his one test