Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne has been appointed coach of Christ's College First XV for 2016.
"First XV rugby is some of the best rugby you can be involved with," said Thorne.
"It's tradition, pride and passion, all the things that make it really unique."
Thorne made his All Blacks debut in 1999, before being appointed captain in 2003. He went on to notch 50 Test caps for the All Blacks.
The 40-year-old said his focus will not just be coaching the school's first XV, but to help grow rugby at all levels.
"First XV will be my main focus, but we're looking at building the rugby programme right through the school so that the benefits are long-term.
"It's not just rugby, we want to build good habits for these guys. They're at an age where these things are really important and we want these good habits to carry through the rest of their lives as well."
Thorne was born in Christchurch, before his father's work took his family to Taranaki and he attended New Plymouth Boys' High School.
He would return to Christchurch and played for both Canterbury and the Crusaders, playing 129 games in the red and black.
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