The All Blacks had their official farewell in Auckland yesterday before heading to the World Cup. Click on the links below the picture to watch video of Graham Henry and Richie McCaw from the event and to see photos.
KEY POINTS:
It was a woman's dream come true - talking handbags over lunch with Richie McCaw.
Nine staff and clients of Soiree Events Management got to sit with the All Black captain for the Rugby World Cup Farewell Lunch yesterday. Tickets for the corporate lunch cost $275 a head plus a $500 table fee, but it was well worth it, said diner Sarah Lee.
"He's way hotter than what you see on the TV.
"He's beautiful and he can hold a conversation, he's a charming gentleman."
It was luck of the draw that McCaw was assigned to sit with a bunch of single women while other All Blacks sat with groups of men, said Ms Lee. "We got there and they announced 'Richie, go to table 69'. We were all screaming and jumping up and down.
"Of course we wanted to get him."
Ms Lee, 32, said none of the women at the table was a rugby fan and didn't talk about the sport with McCaw.
"We asked him if he had a girlfriend and talked about handbags and I think he was pretty happy with that."
Ms Lee said now that she had met the 27-year-old, she would probably watch some World Cup games.
She also had a chance to chat to Luke McAlister and Mils Muliaina, who said they sat with groups of men who only wanted to talk about rugby.
"They said they just wanted to talk about normal things, like the top 10 songs at the moment or something, anything but rugby."
Bernadette Hoani, also at the table, got to speak to Ali Williams, Doug Howlett and former All Black Wayne Shelford.
"They were all very jealous Richie got to sit with a whole bunch of girls."
All Blacks spokesman Scott Compton said: "As luck would have it, Richie got to sit with a bunch of enthusiastic young women. It was fortuitous."
The squad of 30, with three coaches, selector Sir Brian Lochore and manager Darren Shand, attended the event at Eden Park.
Entertainment included All Blacks coach Graham Henry and McCaw as guest speakers and an auction, including tickets to the Steinlager Rugby Awards, rugby memorabilia and a signed rugby ball.
Premier Hospitality managing director Ian Fraser said the event, attended by 800 people, raised about $50,000 which will go to the New Zealand Rugby Union's national charity Save the Children.
The All Blacks leave for the World Cup in France on Wednesday.
* The picture shows, from left back - Sarah Lee, Sue Duncan, Sarah Quin, Lauren Butler, Bernadette Hoani, Cristina McLaughlin; left front - Monique Gibson, McCaw, Mel Gimblett and Leza Corban
