Rugby: Sporting heroes cheer up 'bionic boy'

Reno Harrison meets All Black Benson Stanley at Kidz First children's hospital yesterday. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Lying in hospital with two broken legs from an accident after rugby practice, Reno Harrison's day was made yesterday when his All Black idol Rene Ranger came to visit.

"I like Ranger because he was the same as me - he plays winger and he has a rat's tail," the 11-year-old told the Weekend Herald.

"He came over and asked me how I was. He said, 'What happened to you?' I told him I got run over after training."

The Pukekohe Intermediate student and other sick children at Kidz First children's hospital in Middlemore were also comforted by players John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Benson Stanley and Victor Vito.

The players gave Reno a signed All Black photo and signed a white T-shirt his mum had brought in which he will hang on his wall.

"Some of them were different than what they looked like on my rugby cards," Reno said. "I thought Benson Stanley was Anthony Boric."

Reno said he remembered being knocked down by a van as he crossed the road to his home last Wednesday.

His coach was dropping off him and some of his teammates from the Pukekohe under-12 side after practice.

He hopped out of the 4WD on Helvetia Rd, walked to the front of the vehicle and stepped out, not seeing the approaching van.

Reno's mother Putti Pakura said her son had broken the femurs in both of his legs and the tibia in his right leg, which was put in a cast yesterday.

He had had three operations, with rods and screws inserted in his limbs, but might need more.

Reno, whom Ms Pakura called her "bionic boy" because of the metal in his body, may not walk for at least a month or play rugby for two years.

The All Blacks' off-the-field charm offensive has been in top gear this week in the lead-up to tonight's Tri Nations test match against the Springboks at Eden Park.

They have signed hundreds of autographs, opened the refurbished Kingsland railway station, played Rippa Rugby with kids, and even braved freezing conditions to play a few cards of outdoor bingo between training sessions.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand denied the publicity drive was to switch focus from the All Whites.

"We were supporting them when they were over there [in South Africa for the World Cup] so it's just been a good, positive thing for New Zealand sport."

He said the All Blacks had been trying to engage more with the public and wanted to break down the myth that the team were not accessible.