All Blacks in Te Puke (+photos) | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Baby Lincoln Murray is not yet five months old, but has already spent some time snuggled up with one of the world's biggest names in rugby.

Lincoln's mother Sarah grabbed a prime photo opportunity yesterday as more than 3000 people greeted All Blacks Dan Carter, Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava in Te Puke.

Mrs Murray handed baby Lincoln over for a cuddle with Carter - and snapped a photo.

"It was so funny. I said 'could you just hold him?' and ran away and took a photo, and then got him back.

"[Carter] looked a bit overwhelmed. He smiled, so that was a good thing - he didn't say no.

"Lincoln was completely oblivious to it all," she told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend.

Mrs Murray had no qualms trusting the nation's favourite first-five with her son.

"If he can carry a ball I'm sure he will handle a baby," she said with a laugh.

Mrs Murray hoped the encounter was a good omen for her son, who will be five months old on Thursday. "I say that I want him to be an All Black, but his dad says he wants him to play for Liverpool the soccer team."

Mrs Murray said the day was not one she would forget in a hurry.

For many people yesterday it was their first time seeing Carter, Kahui and Toeava in person - and the occasion did not disappoint.

Fans of all ages got a chance to get autographs from the trio as they spent hours in Te Puke as part of the "All Blacks coming to a Town Near You" campaign.

But 8-year-old Pongakawa student Rique Miln was the envy of everyone there.

Rique was picked as the All Blacks ambassador to spend the day with the stars from a competition eligible to all registered rugby players from Te Puke Sports, Rangiuru and Eastern Districts.

Rique welcomed Carter and Toeava at Tauranga Airport yesterday morning, sat with them while they ate their lunch, and walked with them when they walked around Te Puke town.

Carter said he hadn't been to Te Puke before.

"I've driven through it but not stopped so this is a real pleasure to be here for the first time," Carter said.

"It's overwhelming to see so many people out here today, I'm blown away.

"Today has been something really special."

Kahui, who comes from Tokoroa, said small towns offered "something different" from bigger cities.

"This is a really good opportunity for us to meet a lot of the public and Te Puke has shown us some great support today," he said.

"But not only here, the whole of New Zealand is showing their support and that's the best feeling."

The All Blacks visit to Te Puke was ahead of a six-week Rugby World Cup festival designed to showcase the region's characteristics and cultural identity to thousands of locals and visitors to the region.

The REAL Tauranga Festival will be held in downtown Tauranga from September 9 to October 23 and will be a celebration of Tauranga and the greater Bay of Plenty region for the duration of the Rugby World Cup.

Max Mason, chief executive of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce said the Rugby World Cup would bring much-needed optimism and confidence to the region and greater New Zealand.

"The REAL Festival will bring business to Tauranga ... we're going to have about 1000 French visitors, and this will help boost the hospitality and accommodation industry," Mr Mason said.

"But perhaps more importantly, the Rugby World Cup will help bring a sense of optimism to New Zealand."