Prop legend Taufa'ao Filise wrote his place in the record books at Cardiff Blues as he ran out for the LV=Cup victory over Scarlets at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
The Tongan star clocked up his 182nd appearance for the region when he led the team out – joining T Rhys Thomas at the top of the charts.
And Coach Richard Hodges afterwards paid tribute to the front row ace who has become a cult figure for Blues.
“He’s been huge for us. The performance he put in during the first half of that game, especially with the physicality, really set the tone,” he said.
“He has been a huge part of this region for many, many years and deserves all the plaudits that he gets.
“Either side of the scrum, he has played here. He goes about his work quietly and efficiently within the region and he is a highly respected member of our group. We all congratulate him for reaching such a major milestone in his time here.”
TOP TEN APPEARANCE MAKER CHARTS:
1= Taufa’ao Filise – 182 games
1= T.Rhys Thomas – 182 games
3. Deiniol Jones – 175 games
4. John Yapp – 164 games
5. Xavier Rush – 153 games
6. Gareth Williams – 149 games
7. Ma’ama Molitika – 146 games
8. Gethin Jenkins – 144 games
9=Chris Czekaj – 143 games
9=Martyn Williams – 143 games