Two of the most popular men in the country will pack down with adoring fans in Whangarei at the weekend. The pair - former All Black captain Wayne "Buck" Shelford and the team's current leader, Richie McCaw - will be at the city's Kensington Park from 11am until 3pm on
Saturday with the MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow.
They are expected to be welcomed by a haka performed by boarders from Whangarei Boys' High School.
The roadshow features a series of enormous inflatable "rugby challenges" which will enable fans and supporters to test themselves against their All Black heroes and their mates.
The challenges include a horizontal bungee, testing participants' ability to push over for a try and kicking for goal from a variety of angles.
Shelford, McCaw and another All Black - it was to have been Luke McAlister until he fractured his cheekbone during the All Blacks' 19-18 win over Australia on August 22 - will mix with fans taking the tests with the blow-up challenges.
MasterCard has been a sponsor of the All Blacks since 2002 and has set up the roadshow to give fans all over the country the chance to get up close to their rugby heroes.
Shelford, 52, made his All Blacks debut in 1985 and played 48 games in the black jersey, including 31 as captain. The All Blacks never lost while he was at the helm.
Earlier this year, he was elected captain of the inaugural 1st XV of Maori Greats, ahead of the likes of Waka Nathan, Sid Going and George Nepia - a huge honour for any rugby-playing Maori.
While the roadshow was in Timaru, Shelford met a man who had named his dog and boat after him and had also planned to name his son Shelford except he had a daughter.
McCaw, 28, made his All Blacks debut in 2001 and has played 70 tests, 32 as captain.
He has played in two Rugby World Cups and has committed to New Zealand rugby through to the next World Cup in 2011.
After Whangarei, the roadshow travels to Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua and Wellington.
