The pre-season training camp endeavours were part of the team’s Fill The Blues Bus campaign, which collected more than 50,000 donations of food.
The campaign aims to ease food insecurity for families this Christmas.
The team made the journey north to the Northland Rugby Union’s training ground, where school kids gathered to watch their practice and nab an autograph or two.
After which, it was out into the community to lend a helping hand and to take on the local kids in a game of touch.
Nock, who calls Kerikeri home, was excited to show the boys around.
Blues player and Northlander Sam Nock. Photo / NZME
The 28-year-old halfback said they had been pleasantly surprised by the union’s flash training facility.
But the highlight was connecting with the fans, the pool of which was growing – with many wearing replica shirts.
“I haven’t seen too many Blues jerseys in the last eight years until the season just gone that we won,” Nock said.
The Blues dominated the Chiefs 41-10 to claim this year’s Super Rugby Pacific title.
The victory broke not only a 21-year Super Rugby title drought but also rewrote the record for the largest winning margin in a final since the Chiefs trounced the Sharks 37-6 in 2012.
Blues players Akira Ioane and Rieko Ioane celebrate their win during the Super Rugby Pacific Final. Photo / Brett Phibbs, Photosport
“It’s cool to see people representing us now and proud to represent us,” Nock said.
A bunch of school-aged kids were blown away to find the Blues players at their local rugby club.
Their excitement turned competitive when the young novices took the pros on in a game of touch.
Repairing parts of the Onerahi Rugby Club was part of the Blues' pre-season training camp in Whangārei.
Blues players work the post-match barbecue following a game of touch versus some Whangārei youngsters.
The encounter reminded Nock of the start of his rugby career, when as a kid he would head to the field after school each day to play.
“When I was little I definitely dreamed of being involved in the Blues,” he said.
A feat achieved in 2016 when he debuted in the jersey as a replacement against the Hurricanes. Since then he has been a familiar face on the team.
Nock’s presence on the squad is noted by both the old boys of Northland rugby, who tell him how much it means to them, and the kids who want to be like him.
“Which is surprising to me because I feel like I’m just a small-town boy playing rugby where he’s from but to them it means a lot,” he said.
Nock hoped that the addition of Northlanders to Super Rugby inspired the next generation of Tai Tokerau players.
Jamie Withers takes a photo of Kaylia Fieldhouse, 10, with Blues rugby player Josh Beehre. Photo / NZME
His advice to the dreamers: “Keep at it, keep working hard” and “listen to your parents.”
