Inga the Winger inspires Hastings teens

Hawke's Bay was treated to a flying visit from rugby great Va'aiga Tuigamala this week, with the former international league player and All Black offering advice and pointers from his experiences to local schoolboy athletes.

Mr Tuigamala - nicknamed Inga the Winger during his 1989-93 All Black career - visited Hastings Boys' High School for an afternoon workshop on Wednesday, as part of an ANZ nationwide Rugby World Cup 2011 Ambassador Tour.

He said he drew on his experiences as both an All Black and successful rugby league player to teach the younger generation "don't worry about being the best, just your best will do".

"Often people think they want to be the best at this or the best at that," he said. "But they forget to be the best of themselves - you have to focus on being the best according to you, not anyone else or their expectations," he said.

Mr Tuigamala said he had some close ties with the region and the school.

On a rugby trip 19 years ago, the famous winger was hospitalised at Hawke's Bay Hospital after coming down with a nasty bout of meningitis.

The current principal of the boys school, Rob Sturch, also taught Mr Tuigamala for PE when he was a student at Kelston Boys' High School in Auckland.

"He was quite influential even back then," Mr Sturch said. "He was a bit of a star around the school so it's always good to see him and have a catch up."

Mr Sturch said students were inspired by the rugby legend, and took away valuable lessons and advice from the workshop.

ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor said Mr Tuigamala was chosen because he was a "true ambassador" for rugby and what the sport could do for young people.