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On April 10 a distinguished former All Black passed through Te Puia Springs on his way to a wedding in Tolaga Bay. He stopped for a glass of ale at the Te Puia Springs Hotel and was, of course, immediately recognised. Fifteen minutes later Graham Thome, one of New Zealand's most brilliant ¾ centres, was taken to the local rugby ground in time to take over from local coaches Don Fergusson and Bill Donnelly, who had started the training run of Tawhiti Seniors, Gladly they both stood by while the "country boys" were put through their paces by a Fred Allan protege. Graham stayed 25 minutes with the team, which not only found him down to earth but of immense help and a real morale booster. Within one hour of pulling up at the Hotel, meeting the local licensee Bruce Rykers (who is also president of the rugby club), and giving his impromptu tuition, the star was gone. Te Puia settled down again but the "Thome Coaching Session" will be talked of for many weeks to come!