The heart and soul of the side throughout the early years of the Super 12, Mark Mayerhofler’s longevity at the highest level of the game is a tribute to his ability, and his popularity. Still active on the Newcastle Falcons playing staff in 2006-07, where he is a team-mate of England’s Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson, Mayerhofler moved on to the United Kingdom after a stellar career in New Zealand where he provided great value for Canterbury, the Crusaders, North Harbour, the New Zealand Maori side and the All Blacks. Widely known as ‘Bubs’, Mayerhofler arrived in Christchurch as a youngster, having already made the national Under-21 side from his North Harbour base.