The encounter was arranged at the Pub Charity Rugby Sevens in Queenstown to cheer up the junior rugby stars after they were subject to a cruel hoax last November.
A woman giving the name "Kim" had rung Arrowtown School sports co-ordinator Paul Winders to tell him several All Blacks would be arriving at the school to meet school pupils on a certain date.
But Mr Winders and 30 eager children waited in vain on the arranged day.
When rugby officials were contacted, it transpired they knew nothing of the arrangement - or about anyone named "Kim".
After the incident, Otago Rugby Football Union marketing manager Doug McSweeney came up with a plan to ease the children's anguish, showing up with the rugby mascot Rugger to hand out Highlanders merchandise and tickets for the match between the Highlanders and the Western Force at the Queenstown Events Centre next Easter.
Mr Winders said the children were smiling again after this gesture, but they were still disappointed they did not get to meet the All Blacks as they had been promised.
In the meantime, their story was being discussed at national rugby union headquarters.
Several All Blacks and national rugby league representatives were heading to Queenstown to watch the national rugby sevens tournament, while supporting the charity "Baabaaz 4 A Good Cause", and said they would meet the Arrowtown children.
A "meet-and-greet" was arranged for Saturday, and many of the children from the school's touch rugby team went to the Recreation Ground in Queenstown to meet some of their heroes during the sevens tournament.
During a brief session, the children greeted the players, got autographs and had their photos taken with the rugby and league stars.
"Initially, the kids were quite amazed and in awe to see those guys they have been watching on TV.
But the players were really approachable and down to earth, and had a chat and a few laughs with the kids," Mr Winders told the Otago Daily Times.
"I am glad we could do something like this for the kids, after they had been so disappointed. It was cool to see the smiles on their faces," All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu said after meeting the children.
Mr Winders said Saturday's All Blacks experience "definitely" made up for the children's earlier disappointment.
"They had experienced quite a setback, but after this wonderful gesture there were certainly smiles on the dials. The kids were buzzing with excitement"
