The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens are more often the source of disgust-inducing stories rather than heartwarming ones, so we’re glad to be reporting on one that belongs to the latter rather than the former category.
Tan Guerin, a Hong Kong-based Kiwi, sent us the story about how All Blacks rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams gave her eight-year-old son Cooper Rodda his runner-up cup after the cracking final between Fiji and New Zealand.
Guerin told Coconuts Hong Kong in an email about how she and her son had been following the New Zealand team since they arrived in Hong Kong, following all of their games throughout the three-day tournament and even getting Williams’ autograph on Saturday.
Cooper at a meet-and-greet with former New Zealand players Christian Cullen, Eric Rush, Frank Bunce, Sean Fitzpatrick and Terry Wright on Thursday
But it was after the concluding match, when the Kiwi team made the rounds around the pitch, that little Cooper’s day was really made, as Guerin retold us:
“He not only obliged to [take a selfie with us], but he [also] handed my eight-year-old son his runner up cup! This guy deserves to be awarded a hero’s medal! My son loves to support New Zealand (even though he was born in Australia) and it shows – and proves what a bloody amazing legend Sonny Bill Williams is!”
Cooper and two smiling security guards, who are probably happy to be dealing with a cute kid rather than an uncooperative streaker
“I certainly think he deserves some extra recognition in this instance,” she continued.
A happy Cooper with his brand-new cup
“My son is over the moon and I love how we sat in the rain in the front row and had it paid off with are reward as big as this! So unexpected and so very much appreciated!”
Cooper (the boy in black) with his mum (left), dad (top), and half of SBW’s face (right)
For the record, we also tried to get a selfie with SBW, but we guess we’re not as cute as Cooper. Fair enough.
We’ve reached out to the New Zealand Rugby to see if Williams can tell us more about this adorable story – stay tuned.
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