The "All Blacks of petanque" came through on a whistle-stop tour of Masterton yesterday, along the way giving mayor Garry Daniell a lesson in the art of boules.
The Masterton Petanque Club, who organised the visit, were on hand for the mayoral reception welcoming the three French players to Masterton, which
quickly turned into an impromptu petanque training camp as the gathered fans and boules stars moved to the park outside the Masterton District Council building to test their technique.
The unflappable Mr Daniell made a valiant attempt at French, welcoming the players in their native tongue before switching back to English. "We won't mention the rugby," he said.
Victor Nataf, technical director of the French Petanque Federation, then presented Mr Daniell with a commemorative tie celebrating the sport's centennial before Masterton Petanque Club committee member Graeme Morris spoke a few words.
Phillipe Quintais, Bruno Rocher and Phillipe Suchaud among them hold 20 world titles and are regarded in the petanque world as true masters.
"They're multiple world champs but they're just genuine down-to-earth nice guys," Mr Morris said, "and yes, they are like the All Blacks of the petanque world.
"I've seen these guys play overseas and to have them here so the rest of our club can see their skills is pretty special," he said
Mr Quintais, a 12-time world champ who is now retired from the sport, has his own line of petanque sports apparel popular in France.
When they are not smacking jacks for France Mr Rocher, a one-time world champ, works for the Le Mons city council and Mr Suchaud works at the Montlucon meatworks.
Mr Quintais grew up in Chartres, 80km west of Paris where he began his petanque career as an 11-year-old. "It was a family passion," he said.
The trio have just been at the Auckland nationals and travelled by car through the countryside to Masterton where Trust House have put them up at the Copthorne.
"We like Masterton but it's a very long trip from Auckland.
"This is my first trip to New Zealand and we saw many, many sheep.
"It's a beautiful country," Mr Quintais said.
The trio joined players at the Masterton Petanque Club for an exhibition featuring trick shots, sharp shooting and general play with club members.
