Prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will clock up the 150-game milestone when he appears for the Queensland Reds at Super Round in Christchurch on Saturday.
The front-row veteran will join an exclusive club of players to reach that celebrated mark in Super Rugby when the Reds face the Blues in their now-traditional Anzac Day clash.
Joining the action from the bench for his 33rd appearance for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific will stack on top of 117 matches for the Hurricanes.
Former All Blacks forward Toomaga-Allen, 35, has built on his reputation at the Reds, including his valuable role as a super sub in all eight games this season.
In the last-start win over the Crusaders, he entered the game midway through the second half. In quick succession, he jolted a turnover in a double-teaming tackle with Harry Wilson, seized one solo and drove Filipo Daugunu over the tryline.
Prop Zane Nonggorr and flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are the two changes to the starting side from the line-up which took the field for the exciting 31-26 win over the Crusaders on April 11.
On the bench, Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser and winger Treyvon Pritchard return while experienced utility back Ben Volavola is the new backline reserve after making his debut for the Reds against the Fijian Drua in Round Six.
“The Blues are an excellent side and the teams have played two high-quality games on this Anzac Day weekend the past two seasons,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“Anzac Day is a significant day for both Australians and New Zealanders. The occasion has brought out the best in both teams.
“We know Christchurch will be buzzing with Super Round and the opening of the new stadium. The players really enjoy these big events.”
Kiss said Toomaga-Allen continues to make a strong mark on the Reds.
“To reach 150 games is a terrific milestone in a competition as tough as Super Rugby,” Kiss said.
“Jeffery’s generosity with his advice and mentoring of our young props and hookers has been a feature of the past three seasons.
“His impact on the field has shown the quality of his play and his experience. He’s the sort of guy every team wants in their locker room.”
The Player of the Match will be presented with the Sellars Dixon Medal. The Medal honours Auckland’s All Black George Sellars and Queensland’s Billy Dixon, who both played for their provinces at rugby and made the ultimate sacrifice. They died on the same World War One battlefield at Messines in 1917.
Saturday, April 25
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
5:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1 Aidan Ross - Bond University - Otumoetai College, NZ - Te Puke Sports
2 Matt Faessler - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
3 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University - The Southport School - Gold Coast Eagles
4 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Souths - John Edmondson HS, Sydney - Southern Districts, Sydney
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
7 Fraser McReight (c) - Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8 Harry Wilson - Brothers - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Gunnedah Red Devils
9 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests - Brisbane Boys’ College - Gunnedah Red Devils
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick's College, Shorncliffe
12 Hunter Paisami - Wests - Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13 Josh Flook - Brothers - Nudgee College - Brothers
14 Filipo Daugunu - Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
15 Jock Campbell - University of Queensland - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
16 Josh Nasser - University of Queensland - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Easts
17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18 Nick Bloomfield - Easts - Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
19 Hamish Muller - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Louis Werchon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Maroochydore Swans
22 Ben Volavola - Sunnybank - Newington College - Seaforth Raiders, Sydney
23 Treyvon Pritchard - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School - Springfield Hawks
