Never too young ... or too old

KIRK HARGREAVES/The Press

HAPPY PUNTER: Joshua Sutton, 9, from the Cashmere Wanderers Soccer football club, has a go at rugby at the All Blacks Roadshow in Hagley Park watched by Richie McCaw.

Relevant offers

Christchurch's No1 All Black fan is a 48-year-old father of five who gave up playing rugby only last year.

Hornby man Phil Head was awarded the No1 Fan title at the All Blacks Roadshow in North Hagley Park before the New Zealand-Italy test match on Saturday.

Head won tickets to the game and had the privilege of watching the traditional pre-match haka from the sidelines.

"It was good," Head said.

"Being closer to the guys, it was certainly more impressive."

Head said the haka was so good it was probably better than the game, which he felt was marred by too much off-side play by the Italians.

Head won his title after being nominated by his former partner.

He took two of his children to the All Blacks Roadshow on Saturday morning, where they met players Neemia Tialata, Liam Messam and Richie McCaw. The roadshow follows the All Blacks around the country and features several oversized challenges involving rugby skills, including pushing over for a try.

Head said he had used his year off rugby to lose weight and gain fitness and he "might go again" and give the Golden Oldies another try next year.

"I'll only be 49," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News