FOUR thousand rugby fans of all ages flocked to The Northern Echo Arena today (Thursday, October 8) to see the legendary All Blacks in the flesh. Assistant News Editor Hannah Chapman joined the crowds.

PHOTOS: New Zealand All Blacks meet fans at The Northern Echo Arena

An article in a national newspaper this week speculated that Kiwi coach Steve Hansen chose to base his squad near Darlington because the area's mix of urban and rural communities might remind him of New Zealand.

Well I've spent time in both places, and I'm not sure the comparison holds water. For one thing, I've never been startled by an over-friendly alpine parrot on High Row, as I was deep in the mountains of New Zealand's South Island, one chilly April evening.

I suspect Hansen's decision was more to do with the superb accommodation available at Rockliffe Hall, and the unrivalled training facilities nearby at the Arena, the home of Darlington Mowden Park.

One thing both places do have in common, however, is a warm welcome, and it was into a huge bearhug that 16 squad members from the reigning world champion All Blacks walked this morning.

Cheering youngsters, thrilled parents and grandparents and club players from across the region turned out to watch an open coaching session, combined with a Q&A, and a few fun games.

The 4,000 tickets available for today's event - the All Blacks' only open session of the World Cup - were snapped up within hours of being released.

And that serious level of enthusiasm for their visit was more than evident today. The lucky children being coached by the players on the pitch listened intently to tips and tactics, before eagerly putting them into practice.

Those watching on in the stand whooped in all the right places, and fell respectfully silent as the pupils from nearby Rydal Academy performed a spine tingling version of the famous Haka.

The players themselves looked relaxed and happy to be there. Already having qualified with ease for the quarter finals, there is no pressure on them ahead of tomorrow's (Friday) match against Tonga in Newcastle.

They spoke of their pride in being All Blacks, chatted to the children and played along with all the games.

I was at the event with my sister in law, Lucy and two nephews, Alfred and Ernest.

While the almost-three and one-year-olds were a bit young to take in the enormity of seeing world champions on their doorstep, their eyes were out on stalks as we showed them the "giants" on the pitch - led by the impressive Sonny Bill Williams, a 6ft 4ins, 17 stone centre who doubles as a professional boxer.

Lucy and my brother Geoff are planning to take full advantage of Mowden's offer of free entry to their home game against Loughborough a week on Saturday which came with tickets to today's session, giving the two lads a rare taste of high-level competitive rugby.

And perhaps that is the real legacy of the All Blacks' visit to Darlington. A sprinkle of international sporting star dust, which brings new people to the sport, whether as spectators or potential future players.

Clearly only a tiny minority will ever go on to grace the international stage, but that's not the point. From Darlington, to New Zealand and back again, sport can inspire and bring communities together.

And that's what we got at the Arena this morning.