No controversy this week, more Na tribute to one of the world's leading rugby figures who this Saturday will play his last game at Newport.

Gary Teichmann is retiring at the end of the season and makes his swansong for the Barbarians in their matches against Wales, Scotland and England.

After that, it's a visit to America to stay with his wife's family and then back to South Africa to put his feet up while he takes a complete break from the sport he has graced for so long.

But first comes his Rodney Parade finale, not to mention the Principality Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

And those Newport fans who have supported the side so well this season ought to turn up in. Heineken C up proportions against Caerphilly on Saturday to see the great man off.

It began for me in Le Touquet in Northern France of all places.

It was a hot day in late June on a golfing break with two friends, both avid Newport supporters keen for information as the buzz was already about that the club were making big signings.

A check call to Tony Brown at his Bisley head office in Guildford sent me tumbling out of that phone box on the front at Le Touquet, and it wasn't because of the heat.

Who was Brown in for this time? None other than Gary Teichmann, harshly dropped by South Africa coach Nick Mallett after a record run as captain, but possibly available to Newport.

Surely this couldn't be true. But just over two weeks later Brown suggested on a Tuesday that it might be worth my while going to Rodney Parade the following afternoon.

"Bring your notebook," he suggested. Clearly something was up, and given that the Wednesday was the day of the eclipse something special was obviously afoot.

Around 3pm I arrived, and there he was Gary Teichmann, only weeks after captaining South Africa against Wales, now looking over the scene at Rodney Parade.

The rest, as they say is history. Teichmann liked what he saw returned to Durban and within days had committed himself to Newport for two years.

Those two years are now almost over and no amount of effort from Brown can persuade Teichmann to change his mind.

It's the end of a road which has seen Teichmann grace the Welsh rugby scene and make him the most popular import in Newport's 125-year history.

First and foremost his powers on the field are enormous, supreme in the line-out, a tactician par excellence with an unrivalled knowledge of the game and a wonderful number eight.

Not the most physical player perhaps, but always where the ball is, a great reader of the game with an overall ability second to none.

Who can forget how he put Scott Quinnell in his place at Llanelli in the opening game of this season?

Off the field he has been a catalyst, at the forefront of what Newport are about in making their ground a family friendly arena and helping create an explosion of interest in the many club activities.

Modest to a tee, especially considering his world renown. Teichmann is unfailingly obliging, forever courteous, completely without ego and never one to shirk anything.

As a captain he commands huge respect many players even holding him in awe.

The story goes that after a bad first half at Dunvant in the cup recently, Teichmann spoke to every player in the Newport dressing room during the interval telling them what was wanted and reminding them of their responsibilities.

Brown likes to quote Kipling's immortal words when referring to Teichmann, "He has walked with kings but retains the common touch."

Although he would never admit it officially, one suspects Teichmann believes Newport have under achieved as a squad.

But there is only so much he can do as one player. With due respect to the rest of the team, had it not been for Teichmann at Swansea as recently as Saturday Newport would have been thrashed.

Despite the defeat and the end of any lingering title hopes, who was last off the pitch by a mile? Teichmann.

Who was still out there signing autographs, meeting requests to pose for photographs even with Swansea fans? Teichmann.

Who, after a shower and change, answered difficult questions from the media after everyone else had disappeared? Teichmann.

He won't thank me one bit for writing any of this, if he even bothers to read it.

But such a fulsome tribute is only right and proper given the stature he has brought to the town and to a Newport club which was dying on its feet until Brown took over the reins.

How on earth will Newport replace Teichmann? They won't. Don't even both try.

It may have been only two years, but it seems like a lifetime. Rodney Parade will be a strange place next season without him. Maybe desolate.