Rugby: May the 50th equal the 49th

Paul Grant had a pretty special night for Otago in his 49th appearance for the province.

He will be doing whatever he can to make his 50th game equally memorable on Sunday.

Grant (25) will bring up his half century of appearances in blue and gold when he captains Otago against Hawkes Bay in its first Ranfurly Shield challenge for 56 years, at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Grant made his debut for Otago in 2007, coming off the bench for 10 minutes to take on Auckland at Eden Park.

''I don't remember a lot about it, to be honest,'' he said.

''I think I came on for Matt O'Connell. I made one tackle on Sam Tuitupou, I remember.''

Grant was then only 19, and it was a tough introduction at Eden Park, where Otago had rarely been victorious.

The only player who was on the field that day and is still playing for Otago is lock Tom Donnelly.

Plenty have come and plenty have gone, but Grant has stayed around. The South Otago High School product has been in and out of the side over the years, with the likes of Steven Setephano and Adam Thomson standing in his way to get on to the field.

But consistent play over the past couple of seasons, and the captaincy, have resulted in him shining at the back of the Otago scrum.

''There have been plenty of ups and downs through those years. Last week was obviously a highlight.

''I was thinking about it the other day. I guess there have been a lot of guys who have come and gone, yet I'm still here and I'm still playing for Otago.

''I'm really proud to play for Otago. We've got a good connection in this team from South Otago and it is awesome getting the support from down there.

"I probably don't get down there so much as I used to, but you know they are right behind you.''

Grant said he enjoyed the captaincy - especially when winning the Ranfurly Shield - but there were plenty of leaders in the team.

He said the successful challenge was a game where he always felt in control and had confidence in the side's defence.

''But I, and I think everyone else, was looking at the clock on the scoreboard.''

Highlanders selection has remained frustratingly out of reach for Grant. He was in the squad as injury cover at the start of this season but never made the cut.

Asked if he was frustrated to not make the Highlanders, there was a long pause.

''I've just got to play as well as I can for Otago. You can only look after what you can look after.

''It is still a goal of mine to play Super rugby. Do I get frustrated? I suppose I do a bit.''

He would assess his options at the end of the Otago season.

Grant said it had been a whirlwind few days since winning the shield, and said it was a weekend of a lifetime.

''We've had amazing support and it's been awesome being part of it.

"Quite surreal, really. His side was focused on taking on Hawkes Bay, and he said it would not be difficult to get minds back on the game.

''It is not going to be hard to come down. The coaches we have here, they know how to get our minds back on the job.''

 

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