All Blacks pay Starship Hospital patients a visit

All Blacks pose with patients at Starship Hospital. Photo / Greg Bowker

It was happy chaos for some young fans at Starship Children's Hospital when the All Blacks visited today.

Notable stars included Israel Dagg, Aaron Smith, Ryan Crotty, and Ngani Laumape, who took the kids on in coin rugby, connect four, and a ball-passing challenge.​

Wrylee Pennycock, 12, and Michaela Schmidt, 9, play connect four against All Black halfback Aaron Smith. Photo / Greg Bowker

Dagg, a favourite with the young fans, said he loved visiting Starship.

"You don't know how much it hits home when you see these kids doing it tough, but when you come in here they're just smiling, it's just another day," Dagg said

"I'll give up anything to come and put a smile on these kids' faces."

All Black Israel Dagg poses with Klaydon Tahau. Photo / Greg Bowker

Players also signed autographs and posed for photos with some of the patients at the hospital.

The event was organised by the Starship Foundation - the official charity of the British and Irish Lions tour - and ASB.

All Blacks Liam Squire and Jack Goodhue check out Ryan Taylor's passing. Photo / Greg Bowker