All Black scrum coach Mike Cron draws big crowds to sessions in Levin

There was a large turnout of front fow forwards at Playford Park last night keen to learn from former All Blacks scrum guru Mike Cron.

One of the world's best teachers of the dark arts of scrummaging treated local rugby players to one-on-one session under lights at Playford Park in Levin last night.

In a coup for aspiring local rugby players - especially tight forwards - former All Black scrum guru Mike Cron took time out to stage hours of coaching sessions with players, before then taking coaches themselves through a question and answer session.

With so many young rugby forwards wanting to learn from a guru of the sport, organisers had to change the timings of the sessions at the last minute to make room for more.

Mike Cron takes a player through some of the do's and don't's of scrummaging at Playford Park in Levin last night.

That change allowed props, hookers and locks to have an hour with Cron from 6pm until 7pm, while after that he was able to concentrate entirely on the front row with props and hookers.

Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union Community Rugby Assistant Cam Prouting, a front row forward himself, said having someone like Cron available to coach was a real coup.

"It's pretty special to have a guy of his stature and experience do this. He's done a lot for rugby and the All Blacks," he said.

Prouting said the invitation was sent out to all senior and college players and he was rapt with the large turnout of secondary school-aged forwards.

Former All Blacks forwards coach and scrum guru Mike Cron held a training session for aspiring young players at Playford Park in Levin last night.

"That was really cool. They wouldn't have had coaching like this before and they can take all that they have learnt back to their schools teams and club teams," he said.

Some took advantage of filming the session, too, to watch again and share with others.

"It was cool to have so many coaches there as well because it builds their knowledge around the scrum. A lot wouldn't have had sessions like that before so it was pretty cool to offer this as a player and coach development opportunity.

"There was an indoor question and answer session too and there were some gold nuggets in there.

"There was a massive turnout. We were really lucky to have him."

Mike Cron held a coaching session to young front row forwards at Playford Park in Levin last night.

The weather played its part and although chilly, there wasn't a breath of wind and no sign of rain.

Cron, 64, was the All Blacks forwards coach for 16 years and brought a wealth of experience, having worked with the best in the world.

He made a decision to step back from that role late last year.