Alma joins Hurricanes pack

A 100-year-old Masterton rugby fan, Alma Hamilton, packed down with a Hurricanes front row yesterday.

The three players - Jack Lam, Ash Dixon and Richard Broadhurst - met Mrs Hamilton while visiting residents at Kandahar Home yesterday morning ahead of their clash against the Chiefs at Mangatainoka today.

The centenarian was excited at the turn-out, during which the players competed with residents at indoor bowls, and said she had been likewise thrilled during a similar team visit a couple of seasons ago, when: "Cory Jane was in my bedroom."

Mrs Hamilton, who turned 100 in September, said she had followed the sport since the 1930s and along with her late husband, Leonard, had often travelled the length of New Zealand by caravan to watch the All Blacks play touring teams.

"We used to travel from the top to the bottom watching rugby. It's the excitement and something to do I suppose, and an interest for the menfolk who play," Mrs Hamilton said.

Another resident, Eva Rolls, said she was proud of her family link to the game through grandson Glen Rolls, who plays rugby sevens and in the national side for Spain.

Bronwyn Williams, the Hurricanes media manager, said 35 players were in the squad that travelled to Wairarapa.

She said other Wairarapa daycare and schools that players had visited yesterday morning included Kids Kai Time at Lakeview School, Good Beginning, Masterton Early Learning Centre, Cole Street Daycare, Lansdowne Pre-School, Makoura Community Childhood, Carterton Pre-School, and Just Us Kids Preschool.

Hurricanes players also visited Cornwall St Rest Home, Lyndale Villa Retirement Home, Kandahar Home, Carter Court Retirement and Aversham House, Ms Williams said.

"It's been a fantastic morning out in the community and it's great to get out there in Hurricanes territory," she said. "There are a lot of people over here in Wairarapa who support the team and this is a way of giving back what they give to us."