11 Jul 2025

All Blacks stars encourage kids in skills, drills at Poneke Rugby Club

5:12 pm on 11 July 2025

Some Wellington rugby fans enjoyed a chance to learn skills from the All Blacks, when they visited the Poneke Rugby Club on Friday.

Ollie Norris, Rieko Ioane and George Bower joined a skills-and-drills session at the Wellington Rugby Holiday Programme, before facing a Q&A grilling from the kids.

"It was good to connect with some of these kids today," Bower said.

The prop said the kids, who were mostly U13s, had already started to develop a good understanding of how rugby was played and they got stuck right into the drills.

"You see a lot of raw talent out there," he said. "All it needs is to be coached and cared for, and you'll see it start to develop, as they get into high school."

All Blacks Ollie Norris, Rieko Ioane and George Bower donate sports equipment during a community rugby session at Poneke Rugby Club.

All Blacks Ollie Norris, Rieko Ioane and George Bower donate sports equipment to Astyn Meredith-Turuwhenua and RJ So'oialo during a community rugby session at Poneke Football Club. Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii

Following the drills, the kids had an opportunity to ask the All Blacks tough questions.

When asked if they were the star players of their youth rugby teams, Bower and Ioane both claimed to have been terrible rugby players at points in their youth, while Norris said he didn't win many Player of the Day awards.

When asked what their Plan B was, if rugby hadn't worked out, Bower said he probably would have been a teacher. Meanwhile, Norris has contemplated joining the police when he retires.

The players also presented a signed shirt and sports equipment to two Scots College students fundraising to replace sports equipment stolen from Cannons Creek School earlier this year.

All Blacks in Poneke rugby club

Rieko Ioane takes part in a community rugby session at Poneke Rugby Club. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

Year 10 Astyn Meredith-Turuwhenua and RJ So'oialo said several organisations and businesses had already donated to the cause, and they were stoked to receive the All Blacks' donation today.

Being congratulated by the All Blacks in person was something they'd remember for a long time to come.

All Blacks in Poneke rugby club

George Bower offers support at a community rugby session at Poneke Rugby Club. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

"It was awesome, pretty cool, seeing Rieko Ioane, because I look up to him," So'oialo said. "I want to be like him when I'm older, so it's quite cool seeing him."

"It's a big privilege to meet them," said Meredith-Turuwhenua, who was stoked the All Blacks had donated sports equipment.

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