All Blacks: Skipper put on spot after surprise workplace visit

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw lowered his head and paused for a moment when an English fan asked him a question no Kiwi fan wants to hear.

"Have you rehearsed what you're going to say to the guys when you've been beaten?"

The room erupts with laughter at the joke, but all eyes quickly turn from the guy at the back of the room to the main man in front.

McCaw — with a slight grin on his face — pauses before saying almost defiantly: "Nah, I haven't thought about that."

Workers at the Vector Ltd offices, in Newmarket, got a surprise visit from McCaw and fellow teammates Victor Vito and Malakai Fekitoa.

The surprise was part of a competition run by Steinlager, which put out a call for people to nominate their workplace for a visit from players.

McCaw, Vito and Fekitoa shook hands and posed for photos with employees, who were also given the chance to ask the players questions.

Alan Clifford — the brave Englishman who called out McCaw — said it was great to see the boys out ahead of tonight's big clash with England at Eden Park.

"It was good having them here today. It was a good surprise. I'm more of a football fan, if I'm honest, but yes, I'll be supporting England," he laughed.

Rochelle Boyd, who nominated her workplace, was definitely not an England fan. The 24-year-old will be heading out to Eden Park with her partner, Shaun, wearing their team's colour — black.

"I can't wait. We're definitely going to be going for the All Blacks."

Miss Boyd, who was the only person who knew about yesterday's visit, said: "I said to my partner, I hope Richie McCaw comes! I was so glad when I saw him. I was over the moon, he's a great player."

Meanwhile, students at Lynfield College also got a surprise drop-in from a number of the country's top sportspeople, including All Black favourite Ma'a Nonu.

Others there were Nonu's team-mate Ryan Crotty, Black Ferns Fiao'o Fa'amausili and Amiria Rule, and NZ U20 reps TJ Faiane and Leon Fukofuka.

The visit was part of the Junior World Championship 2014 Future Stars competition, in honour of the tournament currently happening.

Principal Steve Bovaird said those who got to meet the stars were mainly junior students, as seniors had exams. "As soon as they walked into the school hall, the students were really impressed. There was a wonderful engagement with them and the students got to ask questions. It was good to hear from some of our elite players."

Bus
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Ferry
• Passengers arriving at the Downtown ferry terminal can transfer to trains departing Britomart
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Parking
• Streets closed to non-residents between Dominion Rd and Morningside Drive

* Full transport information at maxx.co.nz.