Rugby: Respected veteran set for game 100

With all the attention given to the elite rugby players with professional contracts, it is easy to forget about the players who are the heart and soul of every rugby club throughout the Bay of Plenty.

One player who fits that category is Gareth Brown, who will play his 100th premier game for Tauranga Sports tomorrow against Rangataua at the Tauranga Domain.

The dependable second-five has been ever-present in the star-studded Sports backline this season. The 31-year-old civil engineer, affectionately known by all as "Mad Dog" from his days playing alongside Sports coach Mike Rogers for Waikato University, spent five years playing in Ireland before he joined Sports in 2008 under then coach Errol Brain. "I have played pretty much every game since then, apart from when I broke my hand at the end of the season before last," Brown said.

"There is a high level of motivation at the club and we have managed to keep a reasonable core of old stalwarts who have been the nucleus of the team with new guys coming and going all the time.

"We have always had good coaching and good players, and it is a pretty good club all round."

Brown is not too concerned at losing key players to the Steamers squad, who are ineligible for the upcoming finals.

"We just have to live with it. We always lose players at this time since I've been here and we have enough depth I think to cover, but it is up to us older guys who have been there and done it before to try and take a bit more ownership, rather than relying on some of our stars. Experience is important at this time of the year."

Sports Premier team manager Ron Henderson says Brown is one of the most respected players he has known in his 13 years at the club and eight years as team manager.

"During his six-year sojourn with Sports, he has been a hugely influential figure in helping to shape a very successful winning team culture," Henderson said.

"Three Baywide Premier championships and two semifinals achieved, and a fourth title this year is the goal for this hugely loyal and modest, unassuming club man."