West Taieri stalwart notches 300
The veteran loose forward will bring up 300 games for the West Taieri Pigs today.
Yes. 300. It is not a typo. It is just a remarkable achievement that has taken him 24 years.
The 46-year-old made his debut for the Pigs in 2001.
Helen Clarke was the prime minister.
Social media was still just a twinkle in the eye of some future tech billionaire.
And Canterbury beat Otago 30-19 in the NPC final. D'oh!
But McNeill's only regret is he wished he had started a year earlier so he could have been part of the club's 100th jubilee as well as their 125th, which they celebrated last month.
The truck driver loves rugby. But it is the feeling of being part of the community that keeps him coming back year after year.
He enjoys the banter and listening to what the guys have been up to during the week.
He has played alongside some of his team-mates for 15-odd years.
"They're just a good bunch of guys and we have a laugh and a beer," he said.
"That's probably the main thing.
"It would have been nice to bring it up last weekend. We had a good win at home, but we're going to be away this weekend against Toko in the rain and stuff."
He is not sure what has been planned to celebrate his milestone, but there will be a court session and a couple of his team-mates will also face justice for so-called crimes.
Fellow loose forward Conner Jenkins will notch his 100th game and second five Pat Hamer is bringing up 50.
"Between the three of us, it's quite a special day. Conner made a deal with me ... that I couldn't retire until he gets 100 games, so for us to both be doing it on the same day is really quite special."
Most of McNeill's highlights have happened off the field.
But there has been plenty to cheer about on the field as well.
The Pigs used to compete in the Dunedin metropolitan grade, and they won the premier 2 title in 2017.
That earned them a date with Green Island in the promotion-relegation fixture at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Green Island maintained their spot in the premier grade — now known as division 1 — with a 37-17 win.
But it was McNeill's 200th game and he got to play at Forsyth Barr Stadium, so it was a memorable day.
He also played in a preseason game with his son, Cameron Allan-McNeill, this season.
Cameron plays for the Taieri premiers. They are still talking, despite the rivalry between the clubs.
"He was going to come and play for us this year but Taieri sort of needed him.
"He came out to a preseason game ... and I've played a few games with Cameron over the years."
McNeill's father, Philip, also played for West Taieri.
"I was brought up around here and spent most of my life around this place, basically."
McNeill has talked about this season being his last, but in the same breath adds he would always answer an S.O.S.
"I would never leave the team without players, so if they need me I'll probably come back.
"But I should really be going to watch Cameron too. I do miss all his games, so I do feel a bit guilty at times."
Speaking of guilt, good luck in the court session.
adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz
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