KEY POINTS:
In the cricketing jargon which is so familiar this month, Blues wing Doug Howlett is on 99 not out.
After turning out against the Chiefs in Hamilton tonight, Howlett will be one match short of becoming the first Blues player to hit the century for Super rugby appearances.
There was some confusion about the details of his Super career which goes back to a draft start for the Highlanders in 1997 and a debut against the Waratahs.
While some rechecking of the records was needed to confirm his 99th match tonight, there is no doubt that Howlett needs one more try to pass Joe Roff and hold the record for Super touchdowns - 57 tries.
There might be some symmetry if Howlett achieves the feat tonight against the Chiefs, the side for which he started his Super try-scoring against at Owen Delany Park in Taupo 10 years ago.
Howlett scored three tries in that match - a haul he would love to emulate tonight as he faces fellow All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu and a Chiefs side which has won its last three contests against the Blues.
Howlett has been involved at this level since his first year out of school, has played 55 tests for the All Blacks and is in a real scrap with several other threequarters for a World Cup berth this year.
"As a younger guy, I was just a finisher, but the position has progressed from there and you have to have a lot of other parts to your game now," he said.
"You have to work in with the back three, be strong on ball security and in the air, you have to go looking for chances - it is almost a cardinal sin to be kicking the ball away these days."
Howlett missed the recent All Blacks end of year trip to Europe because of injury, but used the time off to complete his own reconditioning programme.
"I was able to recover and then get a physical edge to my game, work on the speed and strength components."
When he started Super rugby, Howlett's way into the Blues squad was barred by Jonah Lomu, Joeli Vidiri and Brian Lima. Now he is the senior wing guiding others such as Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake.
Once Howlett ends his rugby career he wants to pursue his business interests. There is also the mid-year arrival of his first child and curiosity about his place in the All Black rankings.
Like many sportsmen, Howlett talks about the small steps leading to the big stage.
His small steps have been towards the Super record books, a journey he deserves to complete next week.
