All Black Zinzan Brooke was famous for scoring pushover tries - but immigration officials deny they were pushovers for a famous face when they let Brooke into New Zealand after he lost his passport.
Brooke, who memorably dropped a goal in a World Cup match against England, might have dropped
a bit of a brick when he couldn't find his passport during a flight from London to Auckland.
But once his identity was verified, he was allowed to continue, minus a passport, on to New Zealand. Brooke is understood to have been with his wife Alison and his children when the mishap occurred.
The family, who live in Britain, are thought to be here on holiday.
The predicament of losing a passport on-route is an experience the All Black hero shares with another sporting legend.
In January, International K-1 kickboxing champion Ray Sefo was permitted to travel here without a passport after he lost his en route from Brazil via Los Angeles.
Sefo's agent Mandy Jacobsen, said yesterday officials were "extremely helpful".
Sefo was recognised by someone at the airport so all the details were sorted out using consulates.
Customs officials were warned and on his arrival in Auckland he was given a new passport.
A New Zealand Immigration Service spokesman said yesterday Brooke had not received special treatment.
"This is something we would do for any New Zealander."
National manager for Border Security Arron Baker said that generally all New Zealanders were required to travel on valid passports but, when a New Zealander lost a passport during a journey, the department might allow them to enter without passport documentation.
Mr Baker said that in such cases, the department verified the identification of the passenger using identity documents and contacts with other government departments.
-HERALD ON SUNDAY
