Pupils from Musselburgh Grammar School enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience to train with the All Blacks, New Zealand’s world-famous national rugby team – the only school in Scotland to get the honour.
The group of 15 youngsters with a passion for sport met stars of world rugby's best side at the Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh after being kitted out by team sponsors Adidas.
They were introduced to captain Kieran Read, back-row Ardie Savea scrum-half TJ Perenara and centre Ryan Crotty, who were in town as the All Blacks took on Scotland at BT Murrayfield last Saturday.
Read won his 109th cap for the All Blacks as he guided them to a 17-22 victory, while Crotty started the match in the number 13 jersey and Perenara joined the action as a second-half replacement.
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Musselburgh Grammar was chosen after Adidas got in touch with Scottish Rugby looking for a school in the Lothians that best represented its ideal of ‘Through sport we can transform lives’ and was comprehensive in its catchment area, covering all socio-economic groups.
The All Blacks took the pupils through an hour-long training session, showing off their ball handling skills and drills which would see them scrape a victory against Scotland at BT Murrayfield the next day.
Captain Read (pictured above presenting MGS depute headteacher Martin Sangster with a signed All Blacks shirt) was "impressed by the commitment and the enthusiasm" shown by the Musselburgh Grammar School pupils.
The 32-year-old added: "It’s great to see a school that appreciates the importance of sport to their young people because through sport we have the power to change lives.”
The pupils took part in a question-and-answer session, with Read praising the atmosphere at BT Murrayfield.
A meal in the hotel’s restaurant was also laid on as part of the event.
Mr Sangster said: “It was a fabulous day. The All Blacks were absolute gentlemen with no airs and graces, they just got involved with all the pupils.
“I have to thank both them and Adidas for putting on this day – it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us at Musselburgh Grammar School.”
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