Martin Devlin: Owen Franks we salute you for your All Blacks milestone, even if we don't know what you do

All Black Owen Franks will bring up 100 tests on Saturday night. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Owen Franks we salute you.

The big man brings up 100 tests for the All Blacks tomorrow night against Australia, a magnificent achievement, just the ninth All Black to reach this milestone.

So, just the one question Owen: What exactly do you do?

Seriously?

We've all watched a lot of rugby.

We've all talked even more than that.

Many of us even believe we know what it is we're talking about.

And when it comes to possession and territory, domination at the breakdown, effective use of turnover ball, broken play attack and all relevant and associated stats…we do!

But NOT when it comes to you.

Yes you scrum and yes you lineout.

And yes you toil away in those places where few dare to tread.

Up the guts, in the tight, the grunt work, the hard yards, an expert at the dark arts.

But what exactly does any of that mean?

We all know the clichés, we all pretend we understand the importance of establishing a solid scrummaging platform.

Ask anyone involved at the highest levels of the game who the most valuable players in the team are and they'll all say the tighthead prop and the reserve tighthead.

And our guy is regarded as the best in the world at it.

So congratulations and thank you for 100 tests, Owen Franks we salute you.

Just don't ask us to explain what it is you do - because the truth is us amateurs don't have a clue.