Kerikeri man lands role as All Black hero

Playing on a rugby field as a schoolboy in Hawke's Bay, Troy Kingi never imagined he would one day be acting the part of his team-mate Piri Weepu in a movie.

Mr Kingi has landed the role of the All Black halfback in the upcoming film about the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

The Kick, a Great Southern Television production for TV One's Sunday Theatre, will follow the journey of Stephen Donald, who was called up from a whitebaiting trip to play in the final after three first-fives were ruled out because of injuries.

Mr Kingi, who lives in Kerikeri, will begin filming in a few weeks and has been getting in shape for the role.

"I've played rugby but I've never been really great at it," he said. "I've been running and going to the gym and trying to eat healthily."

One thing Mr Kingi can't change is his height.

"I never in my life thought I'd be a halfback. I've always been a forward," he said.

Mr Kingi stands about 1.92m while Weepu is 1.78m.

Mr Kingi followed his former schoolmate's career from their time together at Te Aute College in Hawke's Bay.

"He was always really great, like a man playing with a bunch of boys.

"Whatever team he was in then, they were my team.

"I was a Hurricanes fan when he was playing with them and when he finally made the All Blacks it was really cool."

Mr Kingi hopes to be in touch with Weepu before filming starts to discuss the role.

Weepu was instrumental in the All Blacks' semifinal win against Argentina and was the subject of a flurry of T-shirts and memorabilia bearing the slogan 'keep calm, Piri's on'.

"I'll try my best to bring a bit of that to the role."

Mr Kingi is known for his role of Hone, older brother of lead character Turei, played by Stan Walker, in the movie Mt Zion.

He has been a music and kapa haka teacher at Kerikeri High School but is not teaching this year. During summer, he played in a national winery tour with Stan Walker's band.

Mr Kingi will be starring alongside David de Lautour, who has the lead role of Stephen Donald, Tim Foley as Richie McCaw and Josh McKenzie as Dan Carter.

Filming started last week. A screening date has yet to be announced.