Tinge of emotion as Northland 'big man' bids farewell to fans

Northland v Wellington

Glenn Taylor doesn't usually go in for the emotional.

Until now, the big man of Northland rugby has opted for the physical approach to his sport, a method that seems to have worked well during his 149 games for the province.

But today might be different.

When Taylor leads his team on to the field to play Wellington it won't just be his 150th appearance for Northland, it will be his last in Whangarei. He is retiring. "It will be a bit emotional when it happens, I suppose. When I run out there it will probably dawn on me," Taylor said.

"But I haven't really thought about how emotional it might be, I've just tried to prepare for another big game."

When it comes to big games, Taylor has had a few at Whangarei.

"When we won the second division and managed a couple of victories over the Central Vikings, that was a big season.

"Then there were a couple of good internationals against France and the Lions. We had a good crack at those teams and they stick in my mind, too."

Taylor started his career with an appearance off the reserves bench in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland at Eden Park in 1990. He has become a fixture for Northland since.

What sets Taylor apart from many others is that he has stuck with Northland, despite opportunities to head elsewhere during a representative career spanning 14 years.

Not that he has any regrets.

"I've had a good career, I'm happy with what I have achieved."

Topping Taylor's list of honours is his involvement in the All Blacks' tour to South Africa in 1996 where he was part of the test squad who secured New Zealand's first series win on South African soil.

He sat in the grandstand for the first two tests, including the series decider at Loftus Versfield Stadium in Pretoria, but took the field for the final 30 minutes of the third test a week later.

Included in Taylor's impressive rugby CV are two campaigns as captain of Super 12 teams, the Chiefs in 1999 and the Blues last year, and two seasons as a professional with the Hurricanes.

This season, though, is not likely to feature in his list of career highlights.

Northland have yet to win a match, and Taylor's career is likely to finish on 151 games when they play a promotion-relegation match against the second division champions on November 1.

Ever the professional Taylor is not taking today's game lightly. "It is important we take some momentum into that [relegation] game. That's why this weekend's game is so important."

Northland: Jared Going, Aaron Baigent, Jason Shoemark, Norm Berryman, Matt Faleuka, James Arlidge, Sam Payne, Mose Tuiali'i, Luke Ottley, Tu Tamarua, Glenn Taylor (capt), Brad Taylor, Bronson Murray, Jason Hammond, Tim Knight. Res: Tim Dow, Willie Brame, Tim Henwood, Jeremy Hikuroa, Lee Peina, Fero Lasagavibau, Josh Levi.

Wellington: Christian Cullen, Roy Kinikinilau, Conrad Smith, Sireli Bobo, Paul Steinmetz, Riki Flutey, Jason Spice (capt), Thomas Waldrom, Scott Waldrom, Ross Filipo, Ross Kennedy, Luke Andrews, Tim Fairbrother, Luke Mahoney and Neemia Tialata. Res: Jason Macdonald, Tony Coughlan, Kristian Ormsby, Iva Motusaga, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Gopperth, Cory Jane.

Referee: Gary Wise. Kick-off: 2.35pm.

- NZPA