ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has lavished the ultimate praise on prop Allan Alaalatoa as the legendary tighthead soaks in his 150th game.
Alaalatoa's second-half try was the difference as the Brumbies took down rivals NSW Waratahs 21-14 in Sydney.
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The win secured the ACT-based team a finals berth whilst simultaneously eliminating the Waratahs from contention.
“I feel good, I think that's just more so the fact that we won. We put in a pretty good performance that we're all pretty proud of," Alaalatoa told the media. on Monday
"I guess in terms of the personal milestone, it was great to do it in Sydney in front of my family but most importantly, all we wanted to do was go out there and to win and I'm just glad that we were able to get that done."
With the Brumbies' season being defined by milestones, most notably fellow front-rower James Slipper, Larkahm took the time to praise the 32-year-old post-match.
“Al's, he's a once in a generation sort of a player, not just the performance that he puts on the field but the leadership in and around the team off the field," Larkham said on Friday.
“He works really hard at it and puts himself in a position now where he's world-respected in everything that he does on the field, plus the leadership stuff off the field.”
Alaalatoa has spent the majority of the season out with a back injury, returning last month only for a concussion to delay his milestone.
There was a silver lining, though: the delayed milestone aligned with Alaalatoa's return to Sydney, with a host of friends and family in the stands to celebrate.
“I wanted to take a little moment post-game to soak it all in because you try and block all the noise before a game and prepare just like you normally do into that game so I walked around with my son and enjoyed that," he explained.
"We got about 65 odd tickets to that game for the family and the church family to come out and to see them after, it was really special. They really enjoyed it with all their t-shirts so it was a special moment for our family, which I know they will remember forever.”
The focus for the Brumbies turns to Moana Pasifika on Saturday, with the son of a Samoan World Cup representative knowing the emotion that will be on display in what could be their opposition's final ever game.
"We look at this weekend as a whole different type of challenge, a team that's playing for something that's bigger than themselves and the last time that they'll get to do it for their organisation," Alaalatoa added.
“We're aware of what they're going through as well, we just have to channel in on what's important for us which is preparing well to go out there and be proud of the performance that we'll probably carry through into the next few weeks."
