When the Heartland Championship was last contested in 2019 (the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19), North Otago claimed the Meads Cup and South Canterbury scooped the Lochore Cup.
The tables have been reversed in 2021 with South Canterbury hosting Thames Valley in the Meads Cup final while North Otago will face Whanganui for the Lochore Cup.
The Fifth Place final between Poverty Bay and Mid-Canterbury in Gisborne takes on extra significance with the Bill Osborne Taonga set to be unveiled before kick-off. The winner of the game will become the first holder of the Taonga.
Meads Cup final
South Canterbury v Thames Valley
Sunday 14 November
3.35pm, Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru
SOUTH CANTERBURY
1: Vaka Taelega, 2: Junior Faavae, 3: Tokomaata Fakatava, 4: Solomone Lavaka, 5: Anthony Amato, 6: Cam Russell, 7: Nick Stachan, 8: Siu Kakala, 9: William Wright, 10: Sam Briggs, 11: Kalavini Leatigaga, 12: Paula Fifita 13: Zachary Mckay, 14: Sireli Buliruarua, 15: Luke Glen
Reserves: Conor Anderson, Mathew Fetu, Henry Bryce, Loni Toumohuni, John Borland, Theo Davidson, Zac Saunders
THAMES VALLEY
1: Trinity McQueen, 2: Sam Van Der Valk, 3: Te Huia Kutia, 4: Cameron Dromgool, 5: Connor McVerry, 6: Ben Stephens, 7: Fred Kei Fotofili, 8: Matty Axtens, 9: Ben Bonnar, 10: Todd Doolan, 11: Harry Lafituanai, 12: Sione Vakapuna Etoni, 13: Sam McCahon, 14: Joe Cooke, 15: Telly Hemopo,
Reserves: Cody Muir, Josh Kaho, Matt McCahon, Jack Kingsford, Leroy Neels, Will Newbold, Tevita Halafihi
Lochore Cup final
Whanganui v North Otago
Sunday 14 November,
1.05pm, Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
WHANGANUI
1: Hadlee Hay-Horton, 2: Roman Tutauha, 3: Viki Tofa, 4: Peter Travis Hay-Horton, 5: Josh Lane 6: Campbell Hart, 7: Jamie Hughes, 8: Mathew Taula Fili, 9: Lindsay Horrocks, 10: Dane Whale, 11: Alekesio Vakarorogo, 12: Ethan Robinson, 13: Kameli Kuruyabaki, 14: Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15: Craig Clare
Reserves: Dylan Gallien, Gabriel Hakaraia, Cade Robinson, Semi Vodosese, Timoci Seruwalu, Ben Whale, Josaia Bogileka
NORTH OTAGO
1: Tristan Fuli 2: Sam Sturgess, 3: Melikisua Kolinisau, 4: Manulua Taiti, 5: Aron Einarsson, 6: Toni Taufa 7: Mathew Duff, 8: Sean Jansen, 9: Alipate Tuipulotu, 10: Jake Matthews, 11: Abel Magalogo, 12: Mataitini Feke, 13: Hayden Todd, 14: Asesela Ravuvu, 15: Levi Emery
Reserves: Ralph Darling. Kelepi Funaki, Harry Dennison, Oliver Kinzett, Saia Fifita, Ben Paton, Lemi Masoe
Fifth Place Final (For the Bill Osborne Taonga)
Poverty Bay v Mid-Canterbury
Sunday 14 November
2.05pm, Rugby Park Gisborne
POVERTY BAY
1: Toru Noanoa 2: Shayde Skudder 3: James Higgins 4: Fletcher Sammell 5: Dan Law 6: Quade Tapsell 7: Stefan Destounis 8: Tamanui Hill 9: Mario Counsell 10: Kelvin Smith 11: Tione Hubbard 12: Ted Walters 13: Penikolo Latu 14: Andrew Tauatevalu 15: Paoraian Manuel-Harman
Reserves: Rikki Terekia, Jarryd Broughton, Keanu Taumata, George Whakatope, Ethine Reeves, Taine Aupouri, Te Peehi Fairlie
MID-CANTERBURY
1: Adam Williamson, 2: Callum Burrell, 3: Carisbrook Toomalatai, 4: Manasa Bari, 5: JJ Manning, 6: Shepherd Mhembere, 7: Michael Hennings, 8: Seta Koroitamana, 9: Harvey Blyth, 10: George Williams, 11: Tait Chisman, 12: Tom Reekie, 13: Nick Foxley, 14: Raitube Vasurakuta, 15: Nathan McCloy
RESERVES: Joel Leo, Osea, Baisagale, Iromi Dawai, Osian Davies, Isireli Masiwini, Monty Nixon, Ashton McArthur