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Auckland - US vice-president Joe Biden joked he was ready to play for the All Blacks on Thursday, as players from the reigning Rugby World Cup side towered over him during a visit to Auckland.
"I don't want to offend anyone but this is the reason I came (to New Zealand)," Biden said as he shook hands with forwards Jerome Kaino and Charlie Faumuina.
"When I played rugby, thank God I didn't play against you guys," the 73-year-old added, recalling his time as a nippy fullback at law school.
Biden said he and his brother travelled to Ireland in the 1970s to watch the All Blacks "wreak havoc" on the home team.
Accepting a fullback's No 15 jersey emblazoned with his name, Biden quipped: "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play."
Biden was on a whistlestop tour of New Zealand after visiting Australia.
From @WhiteHouse to the rugby field! USA Vice President Joe Biden was presented w/ his own All Blacks jersey today! pic.twitter.com/bLLNQRb6gx
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 20, 2016
