Durable North Otago flanker Ross Hay will join a select club when he plays his 100th first-class game for the province in Gisborne today.
Hay (29) has been given the captaincy of North Otago for a Heartland Championship game against Poverty Bay that doubles as a celebration of his loyalty and commitment to the gold jersey.
The rangy openside flanker, known as "Bones", also has two first-class caps earned with the New Zealand Divisional XV on the tour of the United States last year.
Hay has only missed seven first-class games for North Otago since making his debut against South Canterbury in Timaru on August 21, 1999.
The former New Zealand Under-16 representative and St Kevins College old boy became a father for the first time in May, with wife Jo and him welcoming son Charlie to their farm at Herbert.
Hay's effort in reaching 100 first-class games follows that of former midfield back Mike Mavor, who retired with 121 North Otago caps last year.
Hay is set to captain North Otago for the rest of the season, with regular skipper Joe Mamea bound for Spain and likely to play his last game today.
"It's a great achievement by Ross and he also has the honour of being captain, which is great," North Otago player-coach Mike Mullins said yesterday.
"He's extremely reliable, he gives 100% and he's always on the ball, getting battered around every week."
Former Hawkes Bay first five-eighth Daniel Waenga will make his debut for North Otago in Gisborne.
Waenga, who played 24 games for the Magpies between 2005 and 2008 and has also played for the New Zealand Colts and Divisional XV, joins the province on loan and replaces Jason Forrest.
"I'm hoping Daniel's going to go well and will stay with us for the season," Mullins said.
"It's a good opportunity for him. From our perspective, he's a good footballer and he should fit in nicely."
Big South African lock Duncan Naude is out with an ankle injury, with his place in the second row taken by Seko Kalou.
Kalou, formerly Qaraniqio, has played for both Otago and North Otago in recent seasons and, after this weekend, he is rejoining Otago for the Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch.
Nick Webster will start at halfback for North Otago, replacing Hamish McKenzie, who will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a medial ligament injury.
A final change is in midfield, where Ekeroma Sefo will start at centre ahead of Tane Puki.
North Otago needs to bounce back from its 26-22 loss to South Canterbury in the opening round, knowing another defeat could endanger its chances of making the Meads Cup (top six).
Poverty Bay has some confidence after coming from behind to beat King Country 26-20 in Taupo, but coach Grainger Heikell is wary of North Otago.
"They're a side who like to use the ball and the best way to counter that is by playing the game in their half of the park and taking the ball away from them," Heikell said.
"But it won't be easy. Traditionally they've been one of the strongest sides in the Heartland Championship since it started."
Heikell has made three changes for the game, all because of injury.
Missing from last week's win are prop Jamie Hutana (hamstring), blindside flanker Juston Allen (groin) and second five Tawhiri Walsh (head).
In come Matt Gray, Tavita Maka and Campbell Te Rito.
North Otago v Poverty Bay
Rugby Park, Gisborne, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Peter Breen, Ofa Fatai, Ekeroma Sefo, Mike Mullins, Lemi Masoe, Daniel Waenga, Nick Webster, Joe Mamea, Ross Hay (captain), Viliami Leo, Cowan Finch, Seko Kalou, Tavite Mafi, Mike Essex, Palenapa Mafi.
Reserves: Fraser Fletcher, Tokelau Tatafu, Samisoni Tongotongo, Paula Fonokalafi, Jason Forrest, Hamish Clare.
Poverty Bay: Kahu Tamatea, Josh Mahoni, Wade Owen, Campbell Te Rito, John Stewart, Scott Leighton (captain), Kele Bola, Tavita Maka, Ryan Sayer, Sione Ngatu, Chris Bell, Murray Hewson, Colin Hovell, Josh Maynard, Matt Gray.
Reserves: Ralph McInally, Warwick Knox, Petelo Piliu, Jono Naoupu, Brent Ingram, Sam Bunny, Clayton Kiwara.
