By Ashlee Tulloch
Whakatane hosts its annual touch tournament this weekend, and with the likes of Benji Marshall and Piri Weepu among several stars taking part, it has drawn hundreds to the touch lines.
Home town prodigy Benji Marshall has been playing in the tournament since he was five years old and is still a regular at the event despite becoming arguably the world's most famous league player.
For the kids playing against him it is certainly a day to remember.
Piri Weepu's participation is quite the contrast to the last time he was on a rugby field - playing in the knock out stages of the rugby world cup.
"Yeah it's good to be here, unfit but oh well, nice to be on the field and good to be here for all the kids,” says Weepu.
And while ex All Black captain Tana Umaga may not have his boots on today, he is definitely a tournament regular.
"Yeah it was Carlos and I back in 2000 apart of the original crew who came here,” says Umaga.
It is the 26th year the tournament and hopefully it goes for 26 more.
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