League: Kiwis wow Liverpool stars with Haka

Issac Luke and the Kiwis took their Haka from the field to Liverpool's training ground. Photo / Getty

The Kiwis met up with some football royalty in Liverpool today - and had some of the sporting millionaires enraptured with an impromptu haka.

The New Zealand side trained at Melwood this morning, the famed training venue of Liverpool FC since the 1950s when the late Bill Shankly took over as manager.

After a field session on the immaculate turf - which had been especially repainted with league markings - the team went upstairs to have lunch with some of the club players and staff.

Many of the Liverpool team are away - as it is an international break - but some of the biggest names in the squad were present as they are currently undergoing rehabilitation from injury.

English striker Dean Sturridge - who has scored 43 goals in 70 games for Liverpool and is valued at around 25 million GBP ($57.96 million) on the transfer market - and captain Jordan Henderson were among the players present, as well as injured defender Mamadou Sakho.

Before the teams had lunch together, the Kiwis - in their street wear - performed an impromptu haka for the Liverpool players and staff in their dining room.

Frenchman Sakho was particularly impressed, and even tried to respond in kind, even though he is currently on crutches.

It's apparently the first time another team has been invited to dine in the Liverpool facility, which is usually off limits to all outside personnel, as well as media.

"We were very privileged to have that experience today," said Kiwis winger Jason Nightingale, who enjoyed an Anfield stadium tour with Reds fan Greg Eastwood on a previous Kiwis trip.

"It was an insight into things we don't get back home. We have good facilities back home but to see the things on the walls and be in the locker rooms of a club with such great history is pretty special."

*Autex - Proud sponsor of New Zealand rugby league since 1981