Mangonui Primary's Rahett Carson was one of 500 Northland children who were invited to join in yesterday's Bluebeard Day, participating in rugby skills and drills with the Blues squad and wider training squad members.
The Blues arrived in Northland ahead of today's Super 15 pre-season clash with the Hurricanes. Playersvisited Whangarei Hospital on Thursday, and yesterday, helped run the annual Bluebeard Day.
Children came from schools and rugby clubs around the Northland region including Kamo, Mangonui, Tomarata, Wellsford, Morningside, Ruawai, Onerahi and Tikipunga.
Northland and Blues player Rene Ranger said team community involvement was important to the region, and taking a break from the intensity of training to hang out with the kids was fun for the children and players.
"It's a really good thing for the community. The Blues franchise covers such a big region, it's really good to be able to get up here and show that we are all part of the same franchise," Ranger said.
Ranger is on the bench for the start of today's pre-season game, but coach Pat Lam has said everyone should get a run.
The utility back is fully fit after suffering a lacerated kidney partway through last year's ITM Cup season.
"I gained some weight not being able to do anything with my kidney, but it's all good now and I'm back to full fitness - I just want to get out there and play now," Ranger said.
