While Ruben Wiki has broken almost every playing record in New Zealand rugby league, including the most tests and most first-grade games, he is still some way short of posting the highest number of games by a New Zealander as a professional.
Len Mason played an incredible 475
professional games from 1927 to 1940 (365 for Wigan, 36 for Keighley and 64 for Bramley) and, appropriately, picked up the nickname of Marathon Man.
He played up to 50 games a season, often twice a week, all without the trappings modern professionals are used to.
Perhaps ironically given his prolificness, Mason played only three tests for the Kiwis, although he appeared in 16 of the 17 games on the disastrous New Zealand tour of Great Britain in 1926-27, when seven players went on strike, leaving only five specialist forwards. Mason played in an era when Kiwis had to be domiciled in New Zealand.
Mason's exploits are just one of a number of stories told in John Coffey and Bernie Wood's comprehensive new book, 100 Years Maori Rugby League (Huia Publishers, RRP $60).
* The Herald on Sunday has three copies of 100 Years Maori Rugby League to give away.
To be in with a chance to win, email sports@heraldonsunday.co.nz with your address and phone number by midday Wednesday with the answer to this question: Name the last of 16 Maori to captain the Kiwis in a test.
