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Newlands milestone for Lealiifano

Cape Town - Brumbies utility back Christian Lealiifano will play his 100th game for the men from Canberra when they face the Stormers in a Super Rugby qualifier at Newlands on Saturday.

Lealiifano debuted as a 20-year-old with the Brumbies in 2008.

Since then he has gone on to score 625 career points for the team.

In an interview with the Brumbies’ official website, Lealiifano says it’s a great honour to reach 100 games for the same team.

“Making 100 is always pretty special, there’s a special group of men have achieved that and I really acknowledge that.

“For me, every game I’ve taken as if it’s going to be my last, so definitely a special time.

Reaching the milestone in such a critical match means Lealiifano says he won’t be paying too much attention to his personal achievement, and is focused on helping his team.

“Saturday’s going to be no different, I’ll give it all I have and give the team as much as I can give them and hopefully we can get the result we want.”

Now in his eight season of rugby with the Brumbies, Lealiifano arrived in Canberra from Melbourne as a fresh-faced Australian Schools, Sevens and Under-21s representative, bursting with potential.

Making the 100th appearance is more remarkable given the serious injuries Lealiifano has successfully battled throughout his career. Multiple shoulder reconstructions, a broken leg and an ankle reconstruction have all come and gone for Lealiifano, who has remarkably lost little of his acceleration and none of his world class ball playing skills despite the blows.

Playing his 100th game for the Brumbies means Lealiifano joins an elite club that captain Stephen Moore joined in last week’s loss to the Crusaders at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

“I guess there’s times to celebrate it, but our teams been solely focused on the plans and goals that we have.

“Obviously we reach milestones along the way, but with me personally and with Stephen, it’s never about us or trying to make an occasion out of it.

“It’s about the team first and trying to get the result that we want as a whole team and not focusing on one individual.”

Saturday’s clash at Newlands kicks off at 17:05.

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