Weet-Bix cards were whipped out of pockets, ready for signatures, which also adorned the faces of Ranfurly school children yesterday.
All Black prop George Bower and winger Sevu Reece were in town to unveil a bench at the Ranfurly i-Site, given to the community by the team.
Nearly 60 young rugby players were there, as well as members of the Maniototo Rugby Club.
Bower said the initiative was a great way of giving back to communities.
"To the All Blacks, what the bench represents to us is our backbone, the people who have supported us since day one ... and that’s communities like Ranfurly, our rural communities."
Bower and Reece are both recovering from knee injuries and will not be attending this Rugby World Cup.
Bower said he enjoyed reconnecting with grassroots areas of rugby.
"I always enjoy coming out to rural schools."
Twenty-six benches have been given by the All Blacks to communities throughout the country.
North Otago town Kurow, where former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was brought up, has also received its special bench this week.
The carved macrocarpa bench has been installed this week next to the trail running through the Mavis Shaw Reserve in Kurow.
Ahuriri Community Board chairman Calum Reid said the bench was a great addition to the village and the perfect spot to reflect a while and admire the beauty of Kurow.
"Hopefully, this means the All Blacks will bring the Rugby World Cup to town for a tour when they win it in September," he said.
Each bench bears a design of a bird taking flight, with a message of thanks from the All Blacks.
- By Ruby Shaw
