PUPILS at Aberlady Primary School were paid a visit by a pair of Women’s Rugby World Cup winners – and taught how to do the famous Haka!

New Zealand Women pair Eloise Blackwell and Aleisha Nelson dropped in on an assembly at the school less than a week after being crowned world champions.

They lifted the trophy with a 41-32 win over England in Belfast and spent a few days with the Sergeant family in Aberlady.

Former Scotland Women internationalist Annabel Sergeant told the Courier how the visit came about.

She said: “I play with Ellie [Eloise] and Aleisha in New Zealand – I’ve been out there for about two-and-a-half years now.

“I came home for a wedding and then we went over to Belfast to watch the girls in the final.

“They’ve been here for a couple of days and it’s great to be able to show them where I’m from and let them see Scotland.”

Blackwell, who works as a nurse when she’s not part of the ‘Black Ferns’ second row, said she was “amazed” by the country. She said: “A lot of the girls [in the squad] have ties to Scotland so it’s pretty cool to come over and see it for ourselves. It is a lot like home and the people have all been really lovely – this has almost been the highlight of our trip.”

On their visit, Blackwell and Nelson answered questions from Aberlady Primary youngsters, taught them part of the traditional war dance the Haka, which is performed by New Zealand sports teams before matches, and sung a traditional Maori song.

“It is our way of showing respect,” Nelson said.

And when Blackwell reflected on their World Cup win, she said it was “definitely a career highlight”, adding: “It means so much to us – this is the first time we’ve won it but the fifth time for the Black Ferns.

“There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into it – I’ve been off work on unpaid leave for two months just to play – so it is definitely the highlight of our careers.”