Josh Kronfeld returns to Carisbrook

Josh is back. On the Brook too. Sweating up a storm and getting those feet working, just like he always did.

The only thing is this time former All Black Josh Kronfeld will be swapping his footy boots for his dancing shoes as he makes a long-overdue “competitive” return to his beloved Carisbrook on Saturday evening.

Anything for a vote, huh.

Anything for charity, actually, with Kronfeld bringing his Dancing With The Stars routine to Dunedin for a performance that he hopes will not only help keep him on the weekly knockout television show (Tuesdays, 8.30pm, TVOne), but will bring in the cash for his designated charity Koru Care Otago.

The Carisbrook performance, which is timed for 5.15pm on Saturday evening (just prior to the Highlanders’ 5.30pm Super 14 match against the Cheetahs) might just be one of the toughest he’s made on the famous old ground.

Kronfeld never found it too difficult impressing the crowds in close to 50 rugby appearances there for his club, Otago, the Highlanders or the All Blacks.

But now the magnificent No 7, who played 54 tests for the All Blacks, will be relying on his dance-steps, rather than his side-steps, when he performs a demonstration with his DWTS partner Rachel Burstein on a specially constructed stage.

Kronfeld claims he’s not feeling the pre-match nerves. Well, at least not yet anyway.

 “There have been many enjoyable times for me on Carisbrook, and dancing here will be another memorable occasion,” he said. “I’m really enjoying the dancing at the moment, and to be able to do it to raise funds for Koru Care Otago makes it even more special.”

A 18m x 9m stage will be set up on the sidelines by the Carisbrook terraces, with those seated elsewhere in the stands permitted to make their way stage-side for a front-row view.

Koru Care Otago is a registered charitable trust that has been set up to make dreams come true for children with illnesses and/or disabilities.

They achieve this by raising funds to take youngsters to theme parks on the Gold Coast.

- © Fairfax NZ News