For more than a decade, Daniel Lienert-Brown has been a familiar face in Canterbury’s red and black.

This weekend, the prop will reach a milestone few players have achieved, running out for his 100^th Canterbury NPC appearance- a moment that marks not only longevity, but a career built on loyalty, resilience and an enduring connection to his province.

For Lienert-Brown, Canterbury has always been more than just a team.

“Canterbury is home,” he says.

“I’m grateful to be able to play for Canterbury. Sitting in the stands as a young fella, watching and hoping one day you could be out there.”

That dream became a reality in 2014, when Lienert-Brown made his Canterbury debut as part of a squad packed with players who would go on to leave their own mark on the province- and who, in many cases, would continue to influence his journey.

Among them was Nasi Manu, who was playing his final season for Canterbury, as well as Ryan Crotty and Johnny McNicholl.

“The team was full of amazing players,” Lienert-Brown recalls.

“Nasi Manu, that was his last year playing for Canterbury, massive influence and still is. Ryan Crotty, to be able to play with him and now he’s part of our coaching staff is pretty special. Johnny McNicholl was also playing then.

“Even our physio Tux, he’s a special guy and he’s been there along the whole way.”

Twelve years later, many things have changed. Players have come and gone, coaches have changed, and Canterbury now calls One NZ Stadium home. But the significance of pulling on the Canterbury jersey has remained.

Lienert-Brown’s 100^th game comes during a season in which Canterbury are once again chasing success, having returned to the top of the Hilux NPC last year with a championship-winning campaign. For the veteran prop, that triumph stands out as his favourite memory from his time in the red and black.

“Winning the championship last year was awesome,” he says.

“We’ve been there or thereabouts for the last few years without winning for quite a few years. Remembering what it’s like to win a title is pretty awesome.”

The milestone itself, however, is not something Lienert-Brown has allowed himself to dwell on. While there have been special moments throughout the week to acknowledge his achievement, the 32-year-old is quick to shift the focus back towards the team.

“It’s been a special week,” he says.

“I’m trying not to make it about me because it’s not. We’ve got a job to do at the end of the day. This game has a bigger picture for us.”

And when asked how it feels to be starting his 100^th game for Canterbury, his answer is characteristically understated.

“I’m just grateful to be able to play. It’s an absolute privilege,” he says.

“There are a lot of people in our squad who won’t get to play, which is why I’m so grateful just to pull the jersey on.”

That appreciation is perhaps what makes the milestone all the more fitting.

New to Canterbury this season, forwards coach Daniel Cron said he’d been wanting to coach Lienert-Brown for a long time.

“ Along with a wealth of experience he also brings a lot of humour and excitement, and is the kind of player who likes to just get out there and sink his teeth in.”

Emphasising the significance of the occasion he continued, “We know just how much this means to DLB and his family, it’s truly an honour for him and this team.

Lienert-Brown has spent 12 seasons representing Canterbury, but he has never taken the opportunity for granted. Now, as he prepares to lead the way for another generation of Canterbury forwards, his influence extends beyond the field.

Young props such as Gus Brown and Tonga Helu are coming through the ranks, with Lienert-Brown now occupying the role of experienced campaigner and mentor.

It is a role he doesn’t necessarily see for himself.

“I don’t see it like that,” he says.

“But if they did look up to me, that would mean the world to me.”

From the young boy watching Canterbury from the stands, to the player preparing to run out for his 100^th game, Lienert-Brown’s journey is one that reflects the pride of provincial rugby.

One hundred games represents countless training sessions, long afternoons, tough carries, scrums, wins, losses, teammates, coaches and memories.

But for Lienert-Brown, it ultimately comes back to something much simpler.

Canterbury is home.

And this weekend, he gets to pull on the red and black jersey once again.