Rachel takes big job on pitch in her stride

LADY LUCK: Rachel Raihania, of Taradale takes centre stage as she runs out to place the ball at last night's match at McLean Park.PHOTOS/DUNCAN BROWN

A very important job resulted in very little sleep for young rugby enthusiast Rachel Raihania.

The 9-year-old Taradale girl was winner of a Hawke's Bay Today -sponsored competition for one lucky kid to become Hurricane For a Day.

Last night she ran the ball out on to the field at McLean Park in front of thousands as the Hurricanes took on a Magpie-stacked Highlanders side.

The day before she was on the sideline waving a flag for the team in yellow at a closed captain's run.

Originally from Wellington, the Hurricanes were a fitting side to support - her favourite player was flanker Victor Vito.

She told him she knew his mother - a caregiver at her sister Rebekah's kindergarten - before asking for his autograph.

"He's a really good player and really cool as well," Rachel said.

But all the excitement proved a bit much: "She got home from the practice and said 'I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep'," her father Francis said.

He was in the stands last night with wife Joyce-Anne and Rebekah as his little girl had her moment in the spotlight.

Running a ball on to the field was not intimidating for the bubbly kid who has always loved to watch rugby on television.

"It's awesome," she said after being escorted back to the stands to catch the action.

"It's an exciting experience for us all," her father said.

"I think he's just a teensy bit jealous," she said.