A hospital visit from the All Blacks was just what the doctor ordered, Patrick Tuipulotu seen here holding five-month olds Korbyn (right) and Supreme Martin-Leigh on Thursday. Photo / John Stone
A hospital visit from the All Blacks was just what the doctor ordered, Patrick Tuipulotu seen here holding five-month olds Korbyn (right) and Supreme Martin-Leigh on Thursday. Photo / John Stone
Northland rugby fans were treated to a rare All Black appearance today when four of the newly named Rugby World Cup squad came to Whangārei.
Rieko Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, Angus Ta'avao and Nepo Laulala touched down in Whangārei this morning as part of the All Blacks to the Nation tour which saw players also visit Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Christchurch and Queenstown to interact with fans.
All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao (right) chats with 12-year-old rugby fan Lennox Rupapera at the visit Whangārei Hospital children's ward. Photo / John Stone
The players first went to Whangārei Hospital where they visited the children's ward as well as the children's health centre to talk and play with some of their biggest fans.
"I was actually surprised they were coming until someone told me yesterday," 12-year-old children's ward patient Lennox Rupapera said.
"They just said the All Blacks were coming and I was like, 'Haha Dad's not here, he loves the All Blacks but he's at work!"
Angus Ta'avao has fun with 13-month-old Ross Chapman at the Whangārei hospital children's ward. Photo / John Stone
Rupapera, who had played rugby for about six years and played as a prop for Hora Hora Rugby Club, said the All Blacks' visit was "actually pretty cool" and said it made him a bit happier to be in the hospital which wasn't fun sometimes.
The players also gifted about four signed All Black Rugby World Cup jerseys which would be auctioned off as part of the fundraising venture run by Countdown's annual fundraising appeal programme.
Ten-year-old Carter Miller has his Northland rugby jersey signed by All Black prop Angus Ta'avao. Photo / John Stone
Northland District Health Board children's health general manager Jeanette Wedding said the funds raised was only one of the benefits from today's visit for the children.
Nine-year-old Siena Southall stands proudly with Rieko Ioane at the Whangārei Hospital children's health centre today. Photo / John Stone
"These [players] are their idols and for many of them they wouldn't even have the opportunity to be able to come and witness something like this or be part of it," she said.
"[The children] have some rough times so doing something like this just takes them out of the norm in terms of what they have to deal with so it's great."
From left, Tiriniti Cassidy, Rhys Tere-Shepard, Sarah-Kay Leituvae-Albert (back) Shakur Rapana, Te Atawhai Riwaka, Tuia Strokes and Shaylyn Mangu were stoked at the hospital visit. Photo / John Stone
The players then went to Semenoff Stadium about 11am to a huge crowd of about 2000 adults and children from about 20 Northland schools. The group of four was welcomed by a haka from pupils of Te Kāpehu Whetū, as well as a karakia and waiata.
Tauamahue Poutu (far left) and other pupils of Te Kāpehu Whetū welcome the All Blacks to Semenoff Stadium with a rousing haka. Photo / John Stone
The children then had the opportunity to show their skills to the All Blacks with a number of rugby drills as well as face painting, a sausage sizzle and plenty of autographs.
A big crowd turned out to welcome the All Blacks to Semenoff Stadium today. Photo / John Stone
Ta'avao said it was a great chance to get into different communities which don't see the All Blacks regularly and give back to the fans ahead of the World Cup.
"The energy has been awesome and we've loved coming up here and seeing what people are thinking and they are all wishing us luck and hoping that we go pretty well."
All Black winger Rieko Ioane enjoys himself as he plays an adapted form of bullrush at Semenoff Stadium with a crowd of kids. Photo / John Stone
Ta'avao, who plays in the front row, said the hospital visit was particularly significant for him after spending time in a hospital with his son.
"I know a lot about almost feeling trapped in there and although you wouldn't like to be, it's the best for the children so to be able go to in there and give them a bit of a smile...it's something that I enjoy doing and we are in a pretty privileged position to be able to give back to those kids."
The 29-year-old, who has played more than 100 games in Super Rugby, was one of five props selected over 108-test veteran Owen Franks on Wednesday. Ta'avao said he was a bit shocked when he heard of Franks' omission.
Nepo Laulala was a crowd favourite at the stadium today. Photo / John Stone
"I was pretty shocked, to be honest, but even after that I wasn't certain that I was going to be in there, you never know until your name is called but Franks has been massive.
"It's tough for [Franks] but it's an exciting opportunity for myself and Atu [Moli] to stamp our mark and add to the legacy in our own way."
Ioane was one of the most popular players for the fans throughout the day as he was beset by requests of photos and autographs during their time at the stadium.
Maungatapere School's Jimmy Turner, 9, couldn't get past the fast reflexes of Rieko Ioane while playing bullrush at the stadium today. Photo / John Stone
The winger, whose mother and grandparents hail from Kaikohe and Moerewa respectively, said he remembered being in those shoes when the All Blacks last visited Northland in 2005 where Ioane once went to primary school.
"It took about 20 minutes to get from one side of the field to the other just because everyone is asking for a photo and stuff but it's awesome because not too long ago I was that little kid trying to get a photo."
There was a lot of passion in the crowd of kids today, Kokopu School Year 6 Teyah Graham in the pink hat shows her support. Photo / John Stone
Ioane, who was dropped from the All Blacks for the second Bledisloe Cup game against Australia on August 17, said the World Cup was a great opportunity to earn back his starting position on the wing.
"I just want to get some confidence back in my game, I'm not lacking confidence but it'll be good to get a couple of games in a row."
