Star Rugby Club captain Jordan Stewart is heading into this weekend’s final against defending champions Pirates-Old Boys with some optimism.

Despite what the outcome will be, he has something else to celebrate, with this match being his 100th for the club.

“It’s a bit of a bonus for me and I’m just lucky it landed on this day.”

Star has taken out the Galbraith Shield 29 times since it started back in 1908, and Jordan was part of the winning team when it last won the competition in 2015.  He has also played in five finals.

The captain of Star for the past four to five years, he started playing for Midlands first, after leaving Southland Boys’ High School.

As a wee nipper running around rugby fields in Nelson and Ashburton before moving south at 13, Jordan has always loved the game and particularly being part of a club where he’s made life long mates through the sport.

“It’s not just through your own team but also the opposition team as well.  It’s the whole journey and who you meet along the way.”

Clocking up 100 games for one club took at least a good seven seasons, especially as in recent years players would only be involved in 14 to 15 matches rather than the 20 in the past.

“It takes a lot of time and a lot of loyalty.”

This Saturday’s final at Oreti Park comes right before the Southland Stags NPC season kicks off.

The official team will be named on Monday night at a community launch at the Invercargill Blues Rugby Club.

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