The ACT Brumbies surprised Christian Lealiifano on the eve of his 150th match by flying his brother to Argentina for an emotional moment before a knockout semi-final on Saturday morning.
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The Brumbies captain will become just the second player in the club's history to reach the milestone as he attempts to lead the team to an eighth consecutive victory in their clash against the Jaguares.
The Brumbies are hoping to win to clinch a grand final berth and keep alive the chances of giving Lealiifano a fairytale end to his 12-year career.
Brother Eddie flew to Buenos Aires to present Lealiifano with his jersey before the team's final training session. Lealiifano has always been close to his family, but even more so after being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016.
His comeback game the following year was a third-grade club rugby match for the Tuggeranong Vikings so Lealiifano could play alongside brother Lix.
A Super Rugby semi-final was the furthest thing from his mind back then. But the fact he's playing for a grand final berth shows how remarkable his recovery has been in what will be his final season in Australian rugby.
"We spoke about his 150th game earlier in the week ... Christian's not the sort of guy who puts himself first. He's a team man through and through," said Sam Carter.
"Christian is unbelievable. He's the heartbeat of the team and when he's doing well, it's a sign the team is doing well. He's got the team rolling, he's leading from the front and that's how we're playing."
Coach Dan McKellar added: "I've never met a more selfless individual. He's just so driven and determined for this team and club to have success.
"Even when it's time to tell him to have a rest or have a day off, he's there for the team. You have to talk him out of it because he always wants to be there for others.
"He's obviously a very good footballer. But it's the individual and his character that sets him apart. We will miss that."
Carter is one of nine players who will be leaving the Brumbies when their season finishes, which could be as early as midday on Saturday.
It will be a changing of the guard when the club loses its most recognisable and longest-serving stars. Lealiifano and Carter will be joined by Henry Speight, David Pocock, Josh Mann-Rea, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Ben Hyne, Wharenui Hawera and Chance Peni in leaving the team.
BRUMBIES NEWS
"There will be a little bit of an adjustment. But if we've done our job properly and created the type of environment and culture down here, hopefully the guys coming through can carry that on," Carter said.
"Hopefully they can develop their own style over the next couple of years."
SUPER RUGBY SEMI-FINAL
Saturday: Argentina Jaguares v ACT Brumbies at Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires, 9.05am (AEST).
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Leaiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight. 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Les Leulualiaali-Makin, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Murray Douglas, 21. Jahrome Brown, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Tom Wright.
Jaguares: 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Agustin Creevy, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Tomas Lezana, 8. Javier Ortega Desio, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 11. Matias Moroni, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Sebastian Cancelliere, 15. Emiliano Boffelli. Reserves: 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Enrique Pieretto, 19. Marcos Kremer, 20. Francisco Gorrissen, 21. Felipe Ezcurra, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Ramiro Moyano.