All Blacks return to where it all began

All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu and Latimer sign autographs. Photo / Greg Bowker

The All Blacks squad have gone back to their roots, returning to the clubs where many of them began their path to the national side.

The team, who are in Auckland preparing for this weekend's Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia, split into groups and visited six clubs - College Rifles, Grammar Carlton, Ponsonby, Suburbs, Waitakere and University.

The players were welcomed by junior coaches and joined in training with 6 to 13-year-olds.

All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw, who trained with the Grammar Carlton club, said "Many of the current All Blacks first started playing rugby as juniors in a rugby club so we always love going back to do a bit of coaching with the kids."