"He is an inspiration to all players around him. At 49 and achieving 500 games, it is fantastic for him and a great achievement the club, past and present players will celebrate and acknowledge his devoted support"
Mapu is humble of his looming milestone: "It is just another game of rugby for me. I haven't counted the games I have played, but I guess it seems someone has. I started with my first game and have just carried on because I love it.
"I have stayed with the club through good and the bad, but at the end of the day the beer is still cold and you still have your mates around, and that is what matters."
The loosehead prop hints at why he keeps on playing: "I love the trainings, and playing for the boys. It is neat when you have all these young fellas around you and you smash them in a fitness test, then you remind them how old you are and have a laugh".
Match: Whakatane Marist v Marist St Michael's
Where: Whakatane Marist Sports Club, Arawa Road
Time: 1.30pm
Date: Saturday February 27