Eden Park run 'just awesome'

"Just awesome" is how Kaponga rugby player Jacob Berquist described running out on to the field at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Jacob was chosen to be the ball boy during Saturday night's test match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies at Eden Park.

"The crowd was so big and cheering so loud, it was crazy," says Jacob, adding that the All Blacks' haka was almost louder than the crowd.

As well as running the match ball on to the field, Jacob got to spend time with some of the players, collect signatures and watch the game from prime seating.

"It was such an exciting game, I think I spent more time up on my feet cheering rather than sitting in my seat."

Jacob adds that his debut on an international field gave him instant fame as supporters in the crowd recognised him moving through the stadium with his family.

Kaponga Four Square owners Karl and Tina Turner won the honour of choosing someone for the role through a Coca-Cola promotion instore.

Tina says the couple wanted to choose a local rugby player, whose family supported the store. "There were a lot of factors to consider, but in the end Jacob is one of the politest and nicest young men we see around the shop and we're very happy to have selected him."

Jacob says it was a shock to be called in to the convenience store, "I thought I was in trouble for something, I couldn't remember anything I had done wrong". He adds his jaw soon hit the floor when he found out why he was really called in, "I couldn't believe it".

The Kaponga Primary School student has been playing rugby since age 5 and already has big dreams of one day wearing an All Blacks jersey himself.

"I didn't get too nervous running out on the field in front of all those people so I think I'd handle playing in front of a crowd too."

While Jacob had to turn down the opportunity to work on the sideline of the Port Taranaki Bulls game to meet the All Blacks, he thinks he will get another chance. "I didn't want to let the Taranaki team down but how could I say no to the All Blacks?"

Jacob says he is grateful to Karl and Tina from Kaponga Four Square, Coca-Cola and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union for the opportunity.