When Rameka Poihipi ran out to start at halfback for Te Puke Sports against Opotiki this season it was not just remarkable that a 40-year-old was still good enough - and certainly fit enough - to be playing Baywide premier rugby.
The significant fact is it was Poihipi's 300th game for Te Puke Sports from his debut 22 years ago when he was an 18-year-old fresh out of Te Puke High School.
Poihipi played the full 80 minutes, starting at halfback and ending up at second-five.
"It was really good to get to 300 and really good that my family could be there," Poihipi said.
"My kids were there, including one of them who goes to Hamilton Boys' who was home for the weekend."
Whether he is the only player to reach 300 senior games is not known. Bay of Plenty Rugby historian Brent Drabble says most clubs have sketchy record-keeping at best so he cannot confirm whether Poihipi is the first, but credit must go to Te Puke Sports team manager Ross Flexman for his diligent recording of statistics.
One thing for certain is that Poihipi is one of the most popular players in the Bay. The Te Puke policeman, who was brought up in Makatu, says he loves the game as much now as he ever did in his pomp, which included 61 games for the Bay of Plenty Steamers between 1994 and 2002.
He played his early years at Rangiuru but from his senior debut at 18 he has loved his time with Te Puke Sports (or United Pirates as it was known until 1993). The club has honoured him by bestowing life membership to celebrate his 300th appearance.
"I think the club is awesome. It has been really supportive of me and my kids grew up there pretty much," Poihipi said.
"They have a good structure there and their JMC [juniors] rugby is really strong, and it leads on from there as the colts are pretty strong as well."
During 22 seasons Poihipi has played with some special players in the Te Puke jersey and it is a tough assignment to come up with the best of them. But he narrowed it down to a select group.
"Graham James was a real good leader and flanker, James Wilkins would be another, Chis [Simon Chisolm] is a really good player and has been really good for our club. It is a shame everything has blown up the way it has with him. But I remember when he was a young fullah when he came from Tauranga Boys' to our club, he just moaned about everything but over the years he has really matured and played for the Steamers. He is a big leader in our club.
"Cash [Nick McCashin] was real good and Rodney Gibbs and Paul Fairweather as well. There have been some good players that have come through for sure."
Poihipi has some special memories from his proud days wearing the blue and gold hoops of Bay of Plenty.
"Actually making the side in 1994 was primo. That was awesome and I made my debut against Southland. Winning the second division in 2000 and going up to play in the first division was a great feeling."
Poihipi has no regrets from his Steamers days but would perhaps have liked to have gone further in his career.
"The system is different today. Back in those days we worked full days and just had to play rugby afterwards. It was just part of the deal. Towards the end of my career it started to become professional and I think we got $80 a game, it wasn't much at all, and it included all the trainings.
"The development of the players is a lot better these days, which is something I needed. When I look back now, if I had actually knuckled down I could have got somewhere but I have no real regrets.
"I have a huge forum of mates through provincial and club rugby. That's a good thing about it, the camaraderie you get along the way.
"Rugby gives you a good balance in your life, between the stresses of work and keeping fit. You can get bogged down by work so it is always nice to go out on a rugby field and just chill. Not that running around and smashing into people is chilling but it is a good outlet for that."
Poihipi says he might hang his boots up next year but he has yet to make that decision. He is focused on helping Te Puke Sports win their third straight Baywide title which would be a great way to close the door on a wonderful career.