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Jason Rutledge will be playing his 300th game for Woodlands when they take on Marist at Rugby Park tomorrow.
The 48-year-old will also have his son, Gregor, playing alongside him as they celebrate the special milestone.
Gregor is a quality young loose forward who usually plays his club rugby for Kaikorai while he is in Dunedin studying.
The younger Rutledge has been included in the Southland Stags squad for this year’s NPC.
Jason’s achievement is a testament to his dedication, commitment and passion for the club since he debuted in 1999.
Last season, he helped Woodlands win the Galbraith Shield for the 11th time in his career.
Jason is the most-capped player in Woodlands history and has also represented the Highlanders in 59 games and Southland in 143 games.
Woodlands loose forward Caleb Karangaroa and prop Elroy Macomber are also expected to be available for selection this weekend.
Marist will be planning to earn their second upset win in a row after showing plenty of grit in their 15-14 victory over Star last weekend in the mud.
Star and the Eastern Northern Barbarians will play on field six at Oreti Park tomorrow.
These two teams are highly likely to be playing each other again next Saturday in a semifinal at Riversdale.
Star will be without Stags hooker Aukusitino Salanoa for the next two weeks after he put a shoulder shot on a Marist player last Saturday and earned himself a red card.
Salanoa had been playing loose forward for Star and was one of their key strike weapons.
Blues and Pirates Old Boys will also avoid the mud and play their match on the sand-based grounds at Oreti Park.
Blues are playing their final game of the season and will be out to earn their second win and possibly overtake Marist on the competition points table. — John Langford
