Italians find All Blacks delissimo

LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff.co.nz

TASTE TEST: All Blacks lock Anthony Boric gets the taste test from Italy's Next Top Model host Natasha Stefanenko during the cook-off in Milan.

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Andrew Hore looked stunned, Andy Ellis wore a grin from ear to ear, and the Italian paparazzi loved every minute of it.

Even Italy's Playboy Magazine sent a photographer to the All Blacks "cook-and-greet" with the country's five Next Top Model finalists.

Hore, Ellis, Mils Mulaina, Ma'a Nonu and Anthony Boric filed in on cue with their slightly more attractive partners in tow.

Hundreds of cameras went berserk as the models posed and fluttered, while the men in black took on the pose of five possums simultaneously caught in the headlights.

It was delight to the eyes of New Zealand's consul-general and trade commissioner Bruce Gadd, who had moved heaven and earth to organise an event that equates to winning the lottery for the "100% Pure" brand.

The event was broadcast live on Sky Italia, which has about 300,000 viewers, but also picked up for news broadcasts on the free-to-air Rai network, which beams into millions of homes.

It was a surreal scene as the humble rugby players took centre stage next to some of Italy's most attractive women.

Their task was to prepare part of a four-course New Zealand-style meal for 240 guests at the Grani & Braci restaurant near the team's hotel.

The power of the All Blacks brand has been on show since they arrived in Milan, and earlier in the day 2000 fans had turned up to watch a skills session at Arena Civico.

They cheered everything suspended first five Dan Carter did and clamoured for autographs at the conclusion, queuing patiently behind metal bars before filing past their heroes for autographs.

Only the arrival of Jonah Lomu in a Masserati Quattro Porte could trump a week in Milan that has showcased rugby to a hungry and growing European audience.

- © Fairfax NZ News