Three Hurricanes players visited Hawkes Bay Hospital this week. From left: Victor Vito, Julian Savea, Reggie Goodes with Tau Lama, 6, of Hastings. Photo / Warren Buckland
For the children in their beds or chairs at Hawke's Bay Hospital the arrival of three big smiling men, with familiar faces and names, will be something they will remember for a very long time.
The Hurricanes powerhouse trinity of Julian Savea, Victor Vito and Reggie Goodes went along to
the children's ward to say "gidday" to the kids.
And it was clear plenty of those kids recognised them ... even slightly idolised them.
It's not every day one of your heroes steps into the room. Indeed, it is a rare thing because the star players of today are locked into fairly strict time frames. There once was a time when those heroes, those familiar faces and names, walked a little more freely amongst us. Because in those pre-professionalism days the stars of the field worked as teachers, drivers, farmers, stock agents, travelling salesmen, labourers, barmen - you name it.
Donning the jersey of one's province or country was done after they'd wrapped up work for the week and managed to get the time off required to hit the playing fields.
