New Zealand rugby players volunteering during Covid-19 lockdown

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We check in and see what some of our people have been up to in their communities.

Wyatt Crockett – Former All Black & Crusader

Former All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett has offered to be a “delivery boy” in Nelson, now that the country is in Level 3. Crockett, who owns the Stirling Sports in Nelson, took to Instagram saying …

“Are there any local restaurants in Nelson that need a delivery boy during Level 3? Flick me a message if I can help … also available as a taste tester.”

Crockett has since confirmed that he did a pizza delivery for the Nelson Hospital Covid-19 ward today (first day of Level 3) and he’s been asked to do a few more deliveries as well.

Niko Jones, Caleb Clarke, Leon MacDonald, Beauden Barrett & Patrick Tuipulotu – Blues & All Blacks Sevens

The Village Trust, which was founded by Sir Michael Jones, has been distributing thousands of food parcels throughout lockdown. Michael’s son Niko and Eroni Clarke’s son Caleb, who are both in the All Blacks Sevens squad, have been working in the foodbank’s distribution hub in Avondale, packing the food parcels up. During Level 4 lockdown, Blues coach Leon MacDonald, captain Patrick Tuipulotu and Beauden Barrett helped the Village Trust and delivered parcels to families around Auckland.

Jackie Patea-Fereti – Black Ferns

Black Ferns and Wellington Pride lock Jackie Patea-Fereti has been helping her community in the Hutt Valley throughout the lockdown. Along with her husband, Patea-Fereti has been offering up her services with the Student Volunteer Army, providing support for people in need. She’s been running errands, like going to the supermarket and pharmacy and just being a sounding board for people want to talk.

Joe Webber & Issac Te Aute – All Blacks Sevens

Joe Webber and his young family are based in Maketu, a small town just south of Mt Maunganui. Webber and former All Blacks Sevens player Issac Te Aute have been giving their time to man the Maketu check points.

“Our community saw what other small towns were doing around the country and some of the leaders decided to get a checkpoint started for Maketu,” explained Webber.

“We don’t have essential shops or doctors here in Maketu which is why residents need to leave, but that’s also why people from other communities don’t need to come in. Everyone who lives here has a resident’s sticker on their car so they get waved through, but if it’s tourists or freedom campers, we talk to them and make sure they know what the rules are at the moment.”

Ngarohi McGarvey-Black – All Blacks Sevens

Fellow All Blacks Sevens player Ngarohi McGarvey-Black has been volunteering at a Covid-19 community testing station in Ruatoki.  

McGarvey-Black returned to his hometown for lockdown and was called on by iwi leaders to help out at Wednesday’s community testing.

“My uncle is one of the iwi leaders and he asked me to help out, it was a no-brainer to be honest. People have been working so hard to protect our community during this lockdown, I wanted to be able to give those people a bit of a rest.”