News

Patumahoe number eight Tamati Fromm will bring up his 150^th Premier cap for the side when they host Karaka at Patumahoe Domain on Saturday.

The experienced campaigner has been a key player for coach Brad Healy and a stalwart of the side for the past decade, leading the club to finals appearances most years during that time.

Renowned for his leadership and loyalty, Fromm has been the heart and soul of the Patumahoe outfit during arguably the club’s most successful era after debuting back in 2012.

“He’s a man that gives it his all every time he pulls on the blue and gold and has done it for a very long time,” said skipper Will Furniss.

“For a man that looks like he’s only got 10 minutes in him, he will go the 80 minutes with no qualms at all.

“For me, it is the off-field things – there’s no man that can mould a team together better, with a few beers and some quality banter.

“He is the epitome of what the club culture is all about and has a big hand in why it continues to be.”

Utility back Jonny Wilkinson came through the lower grades with Fromm and has been a long-time teammate.

“Tamati still hasn’t turned up for a season fit yet as loves summer,” Wilkinson laughed. “He has promised on multiple occasions that he will turn up fit one year so does that mean he will play again next year?

“He’s a guy who loves to put his five cents into most things as he leads with actions on the field.

“For me, he’s a guy that you know would have your back as he treats us all as whanau.”

Fromm will hope to help his side bounce back from their first round robin loss since 2021 last weekend when they went down to Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields.