"It was hard to choose. They were all of such a high calibre."
The players held a question and answer session with the winning pupils before joining them for hot chips, sandwiches and fruit, and signing their hockey sticks and shirts.
Much to the youngsters' delight, the Black Sticks each shared a "fun fact", ranging from their favourite foods - chocolate and lollies - to where they first played hockey when they were young.
Player Sally Rutherford's story about her rep team planning to steal a cow and paint it in Waikato colours when they played at Clareville was a particular favourite.
The children had to guess who were the youngest and oldest players and who had scored the most goals, and were given a lesson on the benefits of having jet plane lollies while training.
"They give us back the energy we use up when we're on the field," said co-captain Anita Punt.
During morning tea, the pupils were all too keen to share their own hockey stories with their heroes and tell them all about the game Minecraft and how it works.
Opaki School principal Dave Finlayson said the Black Sticks playing in Wairarapa was a "fantastic opportunity".
"It's great they get to come to the regions, meet the young people, and inspire them," Mr Finlayson said.
"The players were amazing with the kids. They got to talk to them on a personal level."
No less thrilled by the opportunity were the second-place winners from Martinborough School, who created a banner incorporating various Wairarapa motifs: Castlepoint lighthouse, grapes and the golden shears.
"The kids thought they were champions. They don't know what runner-up means," said teacher Amanda Draper.
The Black Sticks will be playing the USA today and Sunday at Clareville, with games starting at 2pm.
