Girls play leading role in Cup clash

Two little girls are all smiles over the prospect of stepping on to the world stage at the Northland Events Centre in Whangarei.

The pair - 10-year-old Cristabelle Clark and 8-year-old Alexis Svenson - will lead the Tongan and Canadian teams out on to the field for their Rugby World Cup clash tonight.

Both girls were selected for their roles through an ANZ Bank "Future Captains" contest.

Cristabelle, who sometimes plays Rippa Rugby at Whangarei Primary School, will lead the Tongans. She is learning the Tongan word for "hello" so she can greet "her" team tonight.

Rugby fame runs in her family. Her great-grandfather, Frank Clark, was hooker for the All Blacks in 1928.

Alexis couldn't quite match that, although her mother, Rachel Svenson, joked that Alexis' grandfather had a badge from when the British Lions toured Northland around the 1950s.

Rachel also revealed that Alexis' 5-year-old brother Riley was green with envy over his sister's RWC role.

Alexis attends Kamo Primary School. She loves playing soccer, swimming, dancing and (according to mum) generally running amok.

Alexis told the Advocate she was looking forward to leading the Canadian team on to the field and was practising kicking and handling a rugby ball in case those skills were needed.