KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Warriors prop Ruben Wiki will add another milestone to his remarkable rugby league career when he lines up against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, Balmain, on Sunday.
Already the New Zealander with most first grade appearances, Wiki will break rare ground when he joins nine Australians
in the competition's 300-game club.
The durable achievement will sit alongside the record he has for most tests (55), still the only player to reach the 50-mark on the international stage after retiring from test football in 2006.
Wiki, 35, told the Warriors in February that this 16th season would be his last in the NRL.
He began the season needing 12 matches to achieve 300 and will do so with his 75th game for the club since 2005 after tallying 225 games for Canberra from 1993-2004.
"It's a great achievement and everyone at the club is thrilled for Ruben," coach Ivan Cleary said.
"It's a tremendous tribute to him that he has lasted 16 seasons in a competition as demanding, especially playing the game with the intensity he does."
Fittingly, his achievement will come in the Australian Rugby League's 100th anniversary season.
Ahead of Wiki on the all-time list are Terry Lamb (349), Brad Fittler (336), Steve Menzies (335), Cliff Lyons (332), Andrew Ettingshausen (328), Geoff Gerard (320), Jason Crocker (318), Paul Langmack (315) and Luke Ricketson (301).
Winger Malo Solomona, 21, will make his debut for the Warriors to become the 143rd first-grade player for the club since its inception in 1995.
He replaces the experienced Manu Vatuvei, who made his return from a long injury lay-off against Manly last Sunday.
Vatuvei lasted 52 minutes, leaving the field with a painful left leg.
"Malo has been playing for the Auckland Vulcans and is part of our NRL squad," Cleary said.
"He has worked hard to earn his chance at this level. We've tried other players on the wing already and now it's time to give Malo a crack at it. He's been waiting for it."
Of the side that lost 14-20 to the Sea Eagles, captain Steve Price and centre Brent Tate are also missing due to State of Origin commitments with Queensland.
That means Sam Rapira, who made his 50th NRL appearance last week, will be Wiki's starting frontrow partner with Simon Mannering moving into the centres to replace Tate.
Coming into the starting lineup in the second row is 19-year-old Ben Matulino for just his third NRL appearance.
Returning to the bench after impressive form for the Junior Warriors is back rower Sonny Fai, 20 and who has played nine NRL matches so far.
- NZPA
