Brooke leads out All Blacks ahead of World Cup win

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw walks out for the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham with Brooke Felming.
Photo: David Davies/PA Wire. EMN-150311-155929001 — New Zealand captain Richie McCaw walks out for the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham with Brooke Felming. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire. EMN-150311-155929001

A 10-year-old from Wittering had the experience of a lifetime when she walked out with New Zealand captain Richie McCaw ahead of the Rugby World Cup final.

Brooke Fleming said she “couldn’t stop smiling” during the pre-match rituals as she stood on the Twickenham pitch as the All Blacks’ mascot.

The Copthill School pupil was given the honour after winning a competition at this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Brooke travelled to London on Saturday with her mother Tamsin and grandad Nick. She had a busy day, doing interviews with CBBC, being driven around in a Land Rover by former All Black Brad Thorn and having a delicious pizza. But the highlight was when it came to the match.

She said: “The best bit of the day was when Richie McCaw came and held my hand.

“In the tunnel I could hear all of the players’ feet tapping and them all breathing. When they were singing it was very loud and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“The fireworks made the sky go pink and I was glad that New Zealand won.”

The day was even more special for Brooke and her family as great grandad Peter Brooke played at Twickenham for England in 1930.