Five All Blacks will be kicking off the boots and taking the stage for the Tauranga Arts Festival.
The rugby players will be visiting Tauranga tomorrow as part of their All Blacks to the Nation tour before embarking on their European tour.
Former international referee Bryce Lawrence will host TonyWoodcock, pictured, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Frank Halai and Israel Dagg. The players will start at Pillans Point School, then on to Otumoetai College to train about 75 young rugby players from around the city. The school visits are not open to the public.
From there, the men will eat at Cobb & Co with Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby before getting on stage to take part in the Tauranga Arts Festival in the afternoon.
Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said some of his younger students would be taking part in the training, but as it was close to exam time, the older students had to miss out.
Mr Randell said the way the All Blacks had been playing was an inspiration to young people.
Mr Crosby agreed and said he was looking forward to having five All Blacks in Tauranga.
Mr Crosby said it would be interesting to see what the men were asked to do for the Festival show The Brave, which is about what it means to be a man in today's society.
"It should be a great event and it's open to the public. The All Blacks will do a bit of a signing session and shake hands with fans. It's just tremendous to have them here, and accessible to the public."
The free public session with the All Blacks will be held at the Tauranga Art Gallery tomorrow from 1.15pm to 2.30pm.
