Long-serving halfback Jonathan Taumateine is set to bring up 50 games for Counties Manukau when he takes to the field against Hawkes Bay this Sunday
The soon-to-be 29-year-old has been through it all with the Steelers – debuting as a promising youngster, dealing with the heartache of injury and a losing team, playing international rugby for Samoa and representing Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and biding his time behind All Blacks stars like Augustine Pulu or Cam Roigard.
He reaches an exclusive club in bringing up 50 games – particularly in the modern era.
“It means a lot. I grew up here and came through the grades here and a few of my brothers have played here as well so that means a lot,” Taumateine said.
“It has taken a long time, but I am just glad I am here now and still getting to play.”
Taumateine burst onto the scene after excelling at school and was thrust quickly into a Steelers team that had some real talent in the halfback position.
“Obviously a special one for me was my debut – it came pretty quick coming out of school in 2016,” Taumateine explained. “That has stuck with me to this day. Had greats like Augustine Pulu around too.
“My debut was over against North Harbour – I only played about seven minutes of that game – but it was cool to see some of my idols play and then get to be part of it.”
Over the years Taumateine has shared in some good times and some challenging ones – going through a time when the Steelers struggled to be in a battle for a finals spot.
But last year, he was a big catalyst in Reon Graham’s side breaking through and making the quarter-finals.
With the nucleus of that side returning, Taumateine said there is a real desire within the group to take some more steps in 2025 as they feel they have some unfinished business.
“It was good that the majority of our team last year hadn’t been able to play in a game like that. So that was pretty cool.
“There is a bit of excitement around the group this year with so many of the guys coming back.”
