Crusaders stalwart Greg Somerville will become only the sixth New Zealand player to play 100 Super 14 (and Super 12) matches when he takes the field in the semifinal against the Bulls at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.
Somerville joins Crusaders team mates Reuben Thorne and Caleb Ralph, Highlandershooker Anton Oliver, Hurricanes midfielder Tana Umaga and former Crusaders halfback Justin Marshall as the only New Zealand players to have played a century of Super 14 matches.
Somerville said he was humbled by the milestone.
"I suppose you never think you'll be around this long. I never thought I'd even make the Crusaders so this is something that I'll really cherish," the 28-year-old said.
Somerville has played in every Crusaders match so far this season, starting in all but one and coming off the bench in the game against the Western Force.
"At the start of the season I knew if I played every game and we made the semifinals there might be a chance of getting to the 100 but this week it's on the backburner a bit especially because it's such a big game."
Somerville singles out his debut for the Crusaders against the Chiefs in 1999 as an occasion he will "cherish" forever and the victory over the Brumbies in the 2000 Super 12 final in Canberra as the most memorable of the four Super 12 titles he has won.
New Zealand Rugby Union Deputy Chief Executive Steve Tew said Somerville's impending milestone was a credit to the player's endurance, loyalty and commitment to the game.
"He has been one of the game's most loyal servants and it is fitting that he will celebrate this milestone at a venue where he has enjoyed so much success," Mr Tew said.
