Winning the competition meant Blaze got to meet McCaw for the first time and he remembers the day as surreal.
"When they first came I was shocked a bit, didn't think it was real, thought it was a dream," he said.
He even got a surprise helicopter ride with McCaw.
"We took him to Napier airport (from Flaxmere) by helicopter. It was my first time."
Principal Matt O'Dowda says the whole school got a buzz out of it.
"It's pretty cool to spend time with Richie at 12. Richie makes everyone feel at ease because he is so unpretentious and natural.
"It's been really good for Flaxmere and his whanau is really supportive."
The school's 2018 video went viral online and Fonterra, along with the rest of the nation, were mightily impressed with Blaze's performance, O'Dowda says.
"Fonterra is re-launching the Milk for Schools campaign and they have asked Blaze to front it with Richie.
"At the end of January Blaze flew to Auckland, with one of our support staff and filmed all of Fonterra's Milk for Schools competition campaign."
Blaze said there were some funny moments while filming for the campaign.
"We had this Tongan aunty and she was looking at Richie in a funny way and I had to say 'Stop it aunty, he's married'."
When not filming he also got to spend some one-on-one time with McCaw learning the finer intricacies of playing rugby.
"He was teaching me how to pass a rugby ball properly cause I couldn't pass with my left hand."
Even though no one in school has asked for Blaze's signature yet, he still has a bright future to look forward to, O'Dowda says.
"Blaze is the leader of the kapa haka group, part of our Pasifika group and plays all sports. He also does well academically. He's an all rounder.
"It is now up to Blaze to keep his feet on the ground and be a good kid."
