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Sean Fitzpatrick has taken a mentoring role with Scotland's rugby team who are aiming to end a losing streak against the All Blacks that has lasted more than 100 years, when the teams meet next week.
Former All Blacks skipper Fitzpatrick, one of New Zealand's greatest rugby players, has agreed to try to help hooker Ross Ford learn what it takes to make history on November 8 at Edinburgh.
Fitzpatrick, capped 92 times at hooker, was the most striking name among 23 "one-on-one mentors" listed among those joining a new programme set up by the Winning Scotland Foundation (WSF). He is the only non-Scottish international on the panel, the Times reported.
The idea behind the programme is to get former stars to work with the younger players helping them to achieve all they can in the sport.
Those being guided under the scheme have been selected by a panel which include New Zealander Sean Lineen, the Glasgow Warriors head coach, and Andy Robinson, his Edinburgh counterpart.
WSF has been set up with the mission statement of "working to create a positive winning attitude throughout Scotland using sport as a catalyst," by former Scotland winger Bill Gammell.
- NZPA
