Standing in front of his emotional supporters, his beaming team and with the Meads Cup firmly in his grasp, Peter Rowe said goodbye.
After his 119th first-class appearance in a representative career dating back to 2003, Steelform Wanganui's dynamic captain confirmed that Saturday's thrilling win over Buller was likely tobe his last game in provincial colours.
The 34-year-old was subbed off in the third quarter after another mammoth defensive effort, and watched as his 26-year-old heir apparent Jamie Hughes helped lift the tempo of the team as they managed to secure the match-winning eight-pointer.
It helped crystallise in Rowe's mind that he could leave his beloved team in good hands.
"That's probably my last. I think my time has come," Rowe said after the match, with one hand on the Cup and the other around his young daughter.
"That flows on, it comes in and becomes a family," Rowe said.
"You make friends for life."
The skipper will now go on with his final games for the New Zealand Heartland XV to play NZ Marist and then tour Fiji in November, before calling it a career.
He experienced unparalleled success as an amateur player with an NPC Third Division championship win, five Heartland Meads Cup championships and one Lochore Cup victory.
Rowe was also named the 2010 and 2012 Heartland Player of the Year at the national rugby awards, and has been a fixture in the NZ Heartland XV, captaining the side since 2012.
