Veterans Ross Geldenhuys and Jason Rutledge in the Mitre 10 Cup rugby match between Bay of Plenty and Southland in 2020. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The 2020 Mitre 10 Cup boasts a lot of experienced players, many returning to New Zealand after stints overseas.
This is a XV of the oldest players (over 30), plus reserves, in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup.
Southland Stags' cult hero Jason 'Cabbage' Rutledge is the oldest, just short of43 years old.
Rutledge also has the most provincial caps and is sitting at 141, all of which are for Southland.
New Otago prop Jamie Mackintosh has the second most provincial caps with 123, also all for Southland.
After a string of injuries in the Southland hooker stocks the 42-year-old veteran was brought into the 2020 squad.
Rutledge came off the bench to replace dual try-scorer Greg Pleasants-Tate in Southland's round one victory over Hawke's Bay.
He broke a 112-year-old record becoming the oldest player to ever represent the Stags. Isaac Jenkins, a utility back, was the previous eldest at 40 years old during his last match in 1908.
Rutledge first débuted for the Southland team 20 years ago. He will turn 43 on December 15.
May has certainly been around the traps in New Zealand rugby representing six provincial sides.
The only front rower that I have ever seen box kick turns 38 on October 13 and has still been a starter in the Hurricanes Super Rugby squad this year.
4. ALEX AINLEY – 39
TASMAN MAKO
BORN: 1981 PROVINCIAL DÉBUT: 2005 PROVINCIAL CAPS: Marlborough (7), Tasman (94), Bay of Plenty (8)
A Mako cult hero, Ainley returns to Tasman after a stint last year with Bay of Plenty.
A former captain of the Mako, Ainley has played over a century of provincial games and was an original Mako squad member in 2006.
After depletion in the Crusaders locking stocks, the 39-year-old was called in to cover during Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa.
5. BRYN EVANS* – 35
HAWKE'S BAY MAGPIES
BORN: 1984 PROVINCIAL DÉBUT: 2003 PROVINCIAL CAPS: Hawke's Bay (77)
Evans returns to the Bay after a nine-year absence to join his brother Gareth in the Magpies squad.
In 2009, Evans played two tests for the All Blacks before succumbing to a back injury. Many will remember him for captaining the Magpies to win the ITM Cup Championship Trophy in 2011.
Former All Black Adam Thomson couldn't even walk due to a painful spine infection in 2017.
Now, the 38-year-old lines up for Waikato after several Chiefs appearances this season. Thomson started at blindside flanker in Waikato's round one victory scoring a try on his début.
Thomson sits in fifth on the all-time try-scorers list for the Highlanders with 21, the most by a forward.
Although only reaching 34 provincial caps to date, Lahmert is a seasoned campaigner playing for Horowhenua Kapiti over four seasons and now in his fourth season with Taranaki.
Lahmert is one of the most versatile players around having played wing, first five-eighth, second five-eighth and most notably halfback.
He has represented New Zealand Sevens (five tournaments) and also England Sevens, captaining them on several occasions.