Fictional All Black team named

Many young Kiwis dream of growing up and becoming an All Black, and for a handful of New Zealand actors, that dream is now almost a reality.

New Zealand-born actor David de Lautour has been cast to play Rugby World Cup hero Stephen Donald in the upcoming drama The Kick, leading the local cast of fictional All Blacks.

The Los Angeles-based actor, whose credits include Once Upon A Time and Hart of Dixie, will spearhead the production, which follows Donald's life, rugby career and his famous kick that led to the team winning the World Cup in 2011.

Joining him will be Tim Foley (Nothing Trivial, Blue Rose), who will play as Richie McCaw, Tim Gordon (District 9, Home By Christmas) as All Blacks coach Graham Henry, Josh McKenzie (Shortland Street, Go Girls) as Dan Carter, and Xavier Horan (Shortland Street) as Sonny Bill Williams.

The Kick looks at events through the eyes of Stephen Donald, who missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup squad and went white baiting with his best mate instead, only to get a call at the eleventh hour.

Production starts on March 9, but no screening date has been confirmed.

Full cast of The Kick:
Stephen Donald - David de Lautour
Richie McCaw - Tim Foley
Graham Henry - Tim Gordon
Dan Carter - Josh McKenzie
Sonny Bill Williams - Xavier Horan
Steve Hansen - Geoff Dolan
Piri Weepu - Troy Kingi
Richard Kahui - Clinton Randell
Mils Muliaina - Joe Naufahu
Ma'a Nonu - Matt Renata
Wayne Smith - Eryn Wilson
Ian Foster - Ross Anderson
Jimmy Cowan - Luke Thompson
Andrew Hore - Jonathan Hodge
Ali Williams - Aaron Cortesi
Jerome Kaino - TK Tuhaka
Kieran Read - Aaron Jackson
Colin Slade - Kirk Bremner
Aaron Cruden - Jordan Selwyn
Conrad Smith - Harry Summerfield
Andy Ellis - Dean Curtis
Brad Thorn - Brad Johnson

- nzherald.co.nz