Rugby: Schuster gets rarity - 300th game

When Te Puna run out on to their beloved Maramatanga Park tomorrow they will be playing for more than just the vital competition points at stake against Opotiki.

One of their favourite sons, Daniel Schuster, will lead the team out to mark his 300th premier game for the club - a rare milestone.

Schuster made his debut in 1997 as a fast and agile 17-year-old and over the years has slowly crept further infield, to eventually settle into the No8 role before he changed position again to his cornerstone role in the pack at prop.

That move in 2008 was made in the hope he would make the Bay of Plenty team and it paid off as he played three games for the Steamers in what he regards as a career high. "It was quite hard to go to prop but my focus was to make the Steamers and that was the only position I could make it. I am proud-as to have worn that jersey," Schuster said.

Leadership comes naturally to Schuster, who has captained Te Puna, Bay of Plenty Maori and Bay of Plenty development teams.

"I like leading teams. You get a lot of respect from players and it is just a mean buzz to be able to run out and represent the club and your family that you play for." Family is what the Te Puna club is all about and Schuster says he wanted to play for the senior team ever since he was a little kid.

"I remember when I was a kid and I used to see all my uncles run out on to the field wearing the jersey and it used to make me proud back then when I was about eight.

"That was my desire in life to be running out in that jersey and to play for my club.

"So when I got the opportunity I opted to play seniors and never played colts, just because of that pride in wanting to represent my club as a senior player."

Te Puna captain Aidan Kuka, who has played 280 games for Te Puna, says Schuster is the ultimate team man.

"He is always willing to offer others advice.

"Daniel plays his best rugby when he is leading from the front with his powerful running," Kuka said.

"It's almost an unspoken rule in our team when we get five metres out from the opposition line, leave the ball for DS."