Got a chance to meet New Zealand’s biggest sporting heroes, the All Blacks, on Friday. A couple of them were at Seddon Park to watch some cricket! The towering Richard Kahui and Brendon Leonard, centre and half-back respectively of the New Zealand rugby team enjoyed third day’s action between India and New Zealand in the ongoing Hamilton Test.

"I’ve come to watch the Blues (India) play and see Sachin Tendulkar bat," said Richard as his teammate nodded in approval to stump me. Their effort was fruitful as Tendulkar made his 42nd Test century and entertained the spectators with some breathtaking strokes around the park.

Apart from being an All Black, the 23-year-old Richard is a big hit with the girls because of his looks. His journey to the most popular team in New Zealand is punctuated by dedication and determination. At 11, he told his father that he would be an All Black one day, and at 15, he signed in the visitors’ log at the house of his first serious girlfriend, "Richard Kahui, Future All Black."

Richard was born with sporting genes. His uncle, Sam, was a player of great potential who died after breaking his neck during a match in 1945. Kent Lambert, an All Black from 1972 to 1977, is a cousin of Richard’s mother, Trish.

— K. Moses