All Blacks’ visit to school ‘really fun’

The Irish rugby team members are not the only ones who will be able to say they faced the All Blacks this week.

Some pupils at Balmacewen Intermediate School got to practise rugby skills with three All Blacks as part of a special visit to the school yesterday, ahead of tonight’s big game against the Irish at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Folau Fakatava and Angus Ta’avao took a skills session for girls, followed by a school-wide assembly with a question and answer session.

Mckenzie Larsen steps past All Black Folau Fakatava during a Rippa Rugby game at Balmacewen Intermediate School. PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN

Rugby fan Ora Winkelmann (11) was among those who took part.

"It was really fun," the year 7 pupil said.

"It was a great opportunity to meet the All Blacks and have some skills and drills with them."

Balmacewen Intermediate School pupils listen as the visiting All Blacks field questions during an assembly yesterday.

A game of Rippa Rugby, in which she scored three tries, was her favourite part of the session, which also included games of octopus and colour tag.

Oliver Schothal (12) was among the pupils hosting the assembly.

The visit was a big deal for the school, the year 8 pupil said.

Charlie Hunsche asks All Black Angus Ta’avao a tricky question during the school assembly.

It was "really exciting".

Pupils learned plenty about the players, including how Tuivasa-Sheck shed tears of joy when he was named as an All Black, Fakatava’s breakfast of choice is porridge and if Ta’avao could have any superpower, it would be flying.

Ta’avao thanked the school community for the welcome they received.

All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tries to jink through the defence during a game of Rippa Rugby at Balmacewen Intermediate School yesterday.

"To the girls that we played Rippa with this morning, honestly you guys were awesome. The skill level, the speed — you had Roger and Folau on ice skates out there."

The All Blacks also presented the school’s Fair Play Cup during the assembly.

Winner Rosie Gaffaney (13) said she was surprised but excited to win the trophy.