Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett was no different this week when he was asked about his workhorse prop Ben Franks, who will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance against the Stormers in Cape Town tomorrow morning.
But Hammett's words were more than just your party-line-type stuff.
"He is the most organised rugby player I've ever worked with, down to his diet, right down to knowing exactly how many calories are going in and coming out and the recovery processes and also what he invests in his own body," Hammett said of the All Black.
Lofty praise indeed, but you don't rack up 100 Super Rugby caps - across appearances for the Crusaders and Hurricanes - by chance and Franks said he could recall flashes from his debut, which came for the Crusaders against the Chiefs in 2006.
"I just remember coming on late in the second half and I think the first thing I did was come on and hit a scrum and then before I knew it the game was over," Franks said.
Franks is known for his exceptional work ethic away from the paddock, which has contributed to his durability.
The 29-year-old has also racked up 31 caps for the All Blacks since making his test debut in 2010 and said he loved the game now as much as he did when he first started.
"I couldn't play this sport without passion," Franks said. "I just couldn't think of a way I'd be able to do the things you need to do like putting your body in those dark places if you didn't have the passion for it.
"So in a lot of ways I'm definitely a lot different as a rugby player than I was when I started at 21 and things have changed along the way but the passion for me is as high as ever and I'm still really enjoying my rugby. I think my body will give out before my enjoyment level gives out."
The Hurricanes were set to honour the milestone by preparing a highlights DVD of Franks to watch at their final training run, as they do for any player who reaches the century mark, while the bookend will also get a personalised jersey to wear tomorrow.
Franks said the shirt would make its way to a bag at home with his other jerseys, which he had accumulated during his career.
After being blown off the park at scrum-time during their 27-9 loss to the Sharks in Durban last weekend, Franks will be joined in the front-row against the Stormers tomorrow by veteran prop John Schwalger in one of two changes to the Hurricanes' starting XV.
"I think it was more a skill execution thing than an attitude thing," Franks said of last weekend's struggles. "I thought our attitude was what really saved us and the first 30 minutes wasn't very flash but we managed to pull it together towards the end of that first half and the second half wasn't too bad."
Lock Mark Reddish will come in for Mark Abbott in the other change to the Hurricanes' starting side, while forwards James Broadhurst and Ardie Savea will join the bench.
- By Daniel Richardson of APNZ
