There are advantages to having a former All Black captain as your dad - such as getting to take the Webb Ellis Cup to school.
All Black from 1995-2002, Taine Randell stopped in at Maraekakaho School, where his sons Lanson, 6, and Tori, 5, are students, on his way down thecountry with the Rugby World Cup trophy as part of the Heineken Rugby World Cup Tour.
It's not easy to get kids to come to school during the holiday period, but the library was full as students and their families crowded in to see the trophy that has temporarily been shifted from South Africa's grasp.
It is travelling from Whangarei to Invercargill visiting cities that will host games next year.
Randell travels with the cup, but even he does not get to touch the trophy.
That honour goes only to security guard Ryan So'oula who keeps the alarmed case with him at all times.
The trip was about building momentum for the cup and the response had been encouraging, Randell said.
"There's been a fantastic response," he said. "Everyone's keen to see it and it is an impressive looking cup."
About 400 people headed to The Gintrap on Wednesday night to see the cup and hear Randell talk about his own rugby experiences. After their school visit the group headed to Palmerston North and Wellington yesterday before starting the tour's southern leg.
The stop at the school may have been the result of being "bullied" by his sons, but Randell happily posed with young and old as rugby fans gathered around the coveted cup.
"The Webb Ellis Cup is one of the world's most recognised sporting trophies but it's rare for the public to be able to view it in person," he said.
"The last time we won this most people in this room weren't born."
It was 1987 - if anyone needs reminding.
