George Moala will run out first for Auckland on Friday night against Southland in Invercargill.

The 26-year-old, back in his preferred No 13 jersey, will hoist a half century of games for Auckland, an increasingly rare feat in today’s tight provincial landscape. It might have come last week on his home ground, but a slight hamstring twinge ruled him out.

Auckland-born and bred, Moala has become a fixture in the Blues and made a good impression in his four All Blacks tests in 2015-16.

But back in July 2011, he was a young 20-year-old tyro not that long out of Tamaki College, when he ran on as a replacement for Auckland against Otago at Eden Park.

“I was pretty nervous back then for my first game. I was on the wing with my rat’s tail. Back then we had a lot of good players, like Joe Rock (Rokocoko), Benson Stanley, Winston Stanley. There was some good experience in that group. Looking back now, it is surreal that I am still playing for the blue and white hoops,” says Moala.

While injury and All Blacks duties meant he did not appear for Auckland in 2016, Moala’s highlight for his province came in 2015, when he scored 10 tries en route to helping the team into the final. He was operating at second five then and, incredibly, nine of those 10 tries, came from a distance of less than 5m out from the line.

“I don’t think the forwards were too happy with those pick and gos,” he jokes. “But that was a good year for the boys.”

Indeed it was, pipped by just two points by Canterbury in the final.

Moala says the likes of Rokocoko, who took him under his wing in 2011, and his old Tamaki College First XV and Grammar-Carlton coach Richie Harris, have helped him immensely over his rugby journey. It is worth recalling that Moala was player of the day in the 2012 Gallaher Shield final, when the club won its first premier title in 40 years.

Now he is the second most experienced Auckland player (behind just Jerome Kaino, who has 57 caps) and fourth oldest in this group. That might not qualify him for the nickname of ‘Koro’ just yet, but he is happy to assume a leadership role in this very young Auckland group.

He knows Auckland can do better than it has shown thus far and Friday night would be the perfect time to show that.

“I think if we can stick to the game plan and do what we train, we’ll go well. I think we can change things. We’ve trained really hard this week and there’s been a lot of good feedback from the boys on what we have to improve,” Moala says.

Auckland coach Nick White has been impressed with how Moala has matured.

“It’s a great achievement for Georgey. He started on the wing and had made his way into the midfield. He’s had a couple of really good years and needs to keep building performances to put himself back in the frame for the All Blacks’ northern tour. He’s come out of his shell. He was pretty quiet when he first came in. The boys love having him in the team. He’s a powerhouse but has started developing his passing and kicking skills. Off the field, he comes up with ideas and contribute to game plans.” – Campbell Burnes