Georgia brings out the soft side of The Needle

Sir Fred is first in the SPCA's Circle of Life foster programme. Photo / Doug Sherring

If All Black great Sir Fred Allen had turned down his usual invite to Eden Park last night he would not have had to watch the Bledisloe Cup test alone.

The man best known for being undefeated as All Blacks coach confirmed this week he had become the first beneficiary of the SPCA's new animal foster programme, Circle of Life.

The foster programme means Sir Fred, nicknamed The Needle, has the companionship and affection of a 12-year-old jack russell named Georgia - without all of the responsibilities of pet ownership.

The 91-year-old World War II veteran, who also captained the All Blacks for 21 matches in the 1940s, said he had been contemplating getting a dog for some years.

"I lost my wife Norma a couple of years ago and our dog Polly had to be put to sleep a few days before that," Sir Fred said.

The Circle of Life programme, initiated by SPCA boss Bob Kerridge, means vet bills and food costs are met by the SPCA and the animal is taken care of if the person can no longer look after them, needs temporary relief or if they pass away before the animal does.

Mr Kerridge said the programme gave a second chance to animals that might be otherwise difficult to re-home.

The animals are vet-checked, micro-chipped and then matched with a carer.

Sir Fred, who is the subject of an upcoming biography, said life had improved since he was given Georgia 10 days ago.

"She is great company, she's a real honey, very well-behaved and well-trained.

"She was sleeping on the bed with me. I had to stop that, but she has her bed and blanket and I put one of my jerseys on her - she likes that," he said.