All Black hooker Keven Mealamu is used to performing in some tense situations but his latest venture will see him come under the gaze of an even more critical audience.
He's teaming up with Barfoot & Thompson for a competition that will see Auckland and Northland primary schools
competing to write a book - with Mealamu providing the illustrations. The book is part of the real estate agency's Magic of Reading programme that has seen about 15,000 Starship patients get a free book after they spend a night in hospital.
Mealamu has kept his passion for drawing largely to himself with only a few of his teammates knowing he liked to draw.
"I used to do it at school and in college. I took art in fifth form - would draw anything really," he said.
However, it was his children's art work that decorated the walls of the family home rather than his own.
"We've got a few of the kids' drawings, paintings on canvas, rather than my stuff." He didn't know what he'd have to draw for the book, being totally in the winning school's hands.
"Maybe it'll be something to do with reading, or sport - I only hope it stays within the boundaries of my drawing," he laughed.
He didn't consider himself an artist but enjoyed using his time away from rugby to be creative.
Mealamu told the Herald he'd visited the Starship hospital a couple of times with other All Blacks or Blues players.
"I hope the kids get a kick out of it. If you can crack a few jokes and make their day a little better it's good," Mealamu said.
Matthew Munro, 11, and Wayne Pagaialii, 9, compared drawings when they met Mealamu yesterday, with cars, dragons and rugby players the most popular subjects.
Barfoot & Thompson director Peter Thompson said he was thrilled Mealamu had agreed to be the company's Starship Ambassador.
"I've dealt with Kevin for several years and he's a natural fit for us. He has a soft nature, is great with kids and is family-oriented."
