The man they call Pinetree surprised fans young and old when he turned up in Tauranga yesterday to help thank New Zealanders for their support during the Rugby World Cup.
All Black great Sir Colin Meads was a surprise guest at the Great Rugby Road Trip, which showcased some of the country's most prized silverware, including the Webb Ellis Cup.
Sir Colin was an All Black from 1957 to 1971 and played 133 games in the black jersey. In 1999, he was named player of the century.
At times yesterday, the line to take a photograph with Sir Colin was just as long, if not longer, than the line to take a photo with the Webb Ellis Cup.
Nine-year-old Riley Bidois, who had a photo taken with Sir Colin, said the Webb Ellis Cup was "a bit smaller" than he imagined. He and his cousins Jonti, 7, and Kahurangi, 6, offered no comment on whether Pinetree was as towering as legend suggested.
The Great Rugby Road Trip was to be held at Wharepai Domain but bad weather forced the event to be moved to the Tauranga Rugby Sports Club.
Former All Black Buck Anderson, the New Zealand Rugby Union's general manager of community and provincial union rugby, said it was important New Zealand fans got to see the trophy. It was estimated that more than 300 people attended the event in the first hour.
"This event is very much about thanking New Zealanders for their support of the tournament and the All Blacks but I firmly believe as guardians of New Zealand, this is everyone's trophy and it needs to be out in the public to be celebrated," Mr Anderson said.
"This is about giving back to the public and if, from this, we create lifelong All Black fans, it's nothing but a good thing."
Mr Anderson said having Sir Colin at the event was "a great surprise" and fans were able to see his All Blacks jersey from 1971 as well as the man himself.
Sir Colin, who lives in Te Kuiti but has a house in Papamoa, said he came to the event to show his support.
"In a rugby world, this would be one of the most coveted [cups]."
The Webb Ellis Cup was a favourite but fans also lined up to see the 100th test cap rugby boots of All Black captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina, which were signed and neatly packaged inside a glass box. Nearby was the jersey McCaw wore in his 100th test and his test cap.
Also on show were the Bledisloe Cup, the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup and the IRB Junior World Championships Trophy. The Coupe David Gallagher Trophy and the Sir Edmund Hillary Shield were there as well.
The Great Rugby Road Trip will travel the country through February and March and visit 100 schools, hosting dedicated events in each of the 26 provincial union regions.