Tahana to deliver his final say

Anthony Tahana has frequently had the last word as a Bay of Plenty Steamer and he's poised to deliver his final say.
Tonight the cheeky winger will play his 71st and last game for the union when they host Wellington at Rotorua International Stadium.
As always, the Rotorua-based prankster had a suitable conversation stopper when asked where he was heading following this season.
"I've signed a one-year deal with Waikato," the 29-year-old told the Daily Post following yesterday's captain's run in Rotorua. There was a brief silence before Tahana burst into laughter - nah.
While nothing is yet set in concrete - Tahana is probably heading overseas to Italy - his quick-witted quip about Waikato one of many dished out since he was selected for the Steamers as a schoolboy.
Long known as the team funny man, he will be the final player from the union's second division days to pull stumps.
Tahana suffered a heavy knock against North Harbour last Saturday and it seemed he had ended his provincial career as he was assisted from the field during the 42-24 loss.
His Rotorua swansong was in doubt right until he passed a concussion test midweek. Not so fortunate was teammate Solomon King who failed and will miss his first Air New Zealand Cup match of 2007.
Also dropping aside due to injury was Luke Braid (knee) and Murray Williams (groin) while Mike Delany (groin) is bracketed at five eighth with Kelly Haimona.
Tahana said he was relieved and excited to start from the bench with New Zealand Sevens representatives Charles Baxter and Jason Hona named on the wings.
"I was sweating a bit - I was lucky to make the 22 after my effort last week," Tahana said.
He added it had been a pretty emotional week and he was happy to call time with his body showing the signs of eight years of high level rugby punishment.
"This year's been pretty tough with injuries, even with the [New Zealand] Maoris I was battling a bit. I'm showing my age a bit and the competition doesn't get any easier. I thought it was time for these young guys to get a go and they get their chance [tonight]."
At 18, Tahana and his Western Heights High School mate Caleb Ralph were plucked from the school ranks by then Bay coach Gordon Tietjens.
Tahana quickly found his feet.
He scored two tries on debut against South Canterbury in Timaru, seven in total in his first season, and has become one of the most dependable wingers the region has seen.
He's proved himself at higher levels with regular selection for both New Zealand Maoris and the Hamilton-based Chiefs.
Rugby has been a major part of Tahana's life although it was put on the backburner between 1997 and 2002 while he completed a building apprenticeship in North Harbour.
It's highly likely if he hadn't taken that time away he would have chalked up 100 Bay games like former teammates Clayton McMillan and Paul Tupai. Those years would've seen Tahana likely threaten Graeme Moore's all-time Bay try scoring record of 63.
When the Te Puke clubman scored against Waikato pre-season it brought 150 points for the union, 30 tries, and he added another last week to sit in seventh spot on 31.
A highlight of his career was the 2004 season, but not because of the success, which included a semifinal spot and the Ranfurly Shield reign, more the closeness of the group. Tahana said it really hit home when teammate Grant McQuoid and his wife lost their young baby. For his final outing, Tahana is keen to borrow a bit from both McMillan and Tupai. McMillan brought up his 100th cap against Wellington in 2002, when the Steamers were thrashed 74-20 in Tauranga. "The thing about Clayton, he still kept his head up high, it was his 100th game and we almost got beat by a hundred. Whatever happens, I'm still going to be proud as to have worn the Bay jersey.
"I'd like to finish how Toops did and have a shot at goal - that'd be pretty magic."
It certainly would be fitting for Tahana to have the Bay's last say of the night.
* Tonight's game kicks off at 7.35pm.