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Hanmer Springs - The Wallabies have finally found some love in All Black-obsessed New Zealand in the idyllic spa resort hamlet of Hanmer Springs.
It has been anyone but Australia for New Zealand supporters, who have barracked for their opponents at the World Cup and there have been instances of traditional fierce trans-Tasman rivalries taking on a spiteful edge at Wallaby games.
But it was decidedly different at tiny Hanmer Springs surrounded by snow-capped peaks on New Zealand's south island on Tuesday when the Wallabies threw open their training session and the locals descended on the local oval in their hundreds.
The locals fixed a sign saying 'Hanmer welcomes Team Wallaby' and Wallaby players spent time signing autographs and having their photos taken with young and old alike.
Schoolboy rugby players joined in some of the training drills and afterwards the Wallaby squad was subjected to a question-and-answer session from the youngsters.
Injured winger Digby Ioane was asked to do one of his trademark try-celebration dance routines, Wallaby 'villain' Quade Cooper was asked if he had 'hairy armpits' and fullback Kurtley Beale was asked how long it took to grow his dapper moustache.
One youngster asked if any Wallabies had been bored during a game, to which one team wag quipped that centre Anthony Fainga'a, who was knocked out in the last match against the United States, had 'gone to sleep in a match.'
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is idolised in the Canterbury district for taking the Crusaders to five Super rugby titles before becoming Australia's first foreign coach in 2008.
Many of the Hanmer shop fronts carry Wallabies' signs, with one pronouncing: "Robbie Walks on Water."
Deans is making the detour Wednesday on the way to Nelson for Saturday's final pool game with Russia to bring his players to a special Wallabies' fan day in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, in the park that bears the Deans family name.
The Wallabies have been recharged by their couple of days' downtime recuperating in the thermal springs in Hanmer.
"It is difficult to get away from rugby in New Zealand because everybody has an opinion and takes an interest and it is quite astounding the knowledge of people you encounter and that's great for the game," Deans said.
"But from a player's perspective, which is under the pump of expectation, it can become relentless, so it's a good opportunity for them here."
Just for once in the last three weeks, the Australian squad has felt embraced in New Zealand.
It has been anyone but Australia for New Zealand supporters, who have barracked for their opponents at the World Cup and there have been instances of traditional fierce trans-Tasman rivalries taking on a spiteful edge at Wallaby games.
But it was decidedly different at tiny Hanmer Springs surrounded by snow-capped peaks on New Zealand's south island on Tuesday when the Wallabies threw open their training session and the locals descended on the local oval in their hundreds.
The locals fixed a sign saying 'Hanmer welcomes Team Wallaby' and Wallaby players spent time signing autographs and having their photos taken with young and old alike.
Schoolboy rugby players joined in some of the training drills and afterwards the Wallaby squad was subjected to a question-and-answer session from the youngsters.
Injured winger Digby Ioane was asked to do one of his trademark try-celebration dance routines, Wallaby 'villain' Quade Cooper was asked if he had 'hairy armpits' and fullback Kurtley Beale was asked how long it took to grow his dapper moustache.
One youngster asked if any Wallabies had been bored during a game, to which one team wag quipped that centre Anthony Fainga'a, who was knocked out in the last match against the United States, had 'gone to sleep in a match.'
Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is idolised in the Canterbury district for taking the Crusaders to five Super rugby titles before becoming Australia's first foreign coach in 2008.
Many of the Hanmer shop fronts carry Wallabies' signs, with one pronouncing: "Robbie Walks on Water."
Deans is making the detour Wednesday on the way to Nelson for Saturday's final pool game with Russia to bring his players to a special Wallabies' fan day in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, in the park that bears the Deans family name.
The Wallabies have been recharged by their couple of days' downtime recuperating in the thermal springs in Hanmer.
"It is difficult to get away from rugby in New Zealand because everybody has an opinion and takes an interest and it is quite astounding the knowledge of people you encounter and that's great for the game," Deans said.
"But from a player's perspective, which is under the pump of expectation, it can become relentless, so it's a good opportunity for them here."
Just for once in the last three weeks, the Australian squad has felt embraced in New Zealand.
