He may be a World Cup-winning All Black, but Sam Cane kept things real and returned to his roots yesterday in his hometown of Reporoa.

The 23-year-old also brought a special guest with him – the Webb Ellis Cup – as he visited several locations, including a prize-giving at the Reporoa College where he was schooled.

Sam with some of the students from his former college. Photos/Video: Greg Taipari.

It's a school Sam is proud of – and so he should be. It's punched above its weight for some time now, especially when it comes to producing quality rugby players.

Sam's school-mate and current Steamers loose forward Carl Axtens plied his trade here, along with current All Blacks Sevens captain Scott Curry.

No-one really knows how they do it. Maybe it's something in the fresh milk produced from the dairy factory down the road, or perhaps it's just sheer hard work that pays dividends.

Whatever the cause, Sam was happy to be home to show the future All Blacks, Silver Ferns and next great academics what can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

In his role of guest speaker, Sam says: 'I often say it has been a dream come true, and it was a dream from quite a young age to become an All Black.

'So it's unbelievable to bring the cup back here and share it with everyone back home.

'There are so many familiar faces. The kids I've known have grown up, but the place is still the same. It's been really special.”

Sam was a huge hit with the students, and spent two hours after the prize giving taking pictures with the cup and signing autographs on everything from a little girl's stuffed toy to a gumboot.

But Sam took it all in his stride.

'Growing up I don't think I ever met and All Black, so to be able to bring a world cup to Reporoa is massive,” he says.

One of those who was most impressed with the open-side flanker was Jamal Morunga.

When the 15-year-old, Year-10 student received his Kotahi-tanga School Values trophy from Sam, Jamal couldn't help but hug the big guy.

Jamal Morunga (left) gives his All Black hero Sam Cane a hug.

'It was cool as,” says Jamal. 'I appreciate him coming out here and bringing out the cup.

'It means a lot to us, and to the school especially. I really love Sam Cane. I've never met an All Black before, so it's just really inspiring.”

Sam says it was a touching moment and he is pleased he could inspire students.

'I suppose it makes it that much more special for the kids, knowing that someone has been here, stepped on the same footpaths and gone on to achieve my goals.

'All of them will have their different goals, but it's just great to be able to come back and do something like this in what is a pretty privileged position.”

Sam told SunLive he intends to spend some time with the family back on the farm and will return to training for the Chiefs on January 6 next year.

He says he will be hitting the hills around Reporoa over the next few weeks in preparation.

'I'll start cranking up the training over the next month or so,” he says.

'I've popped in and seen some of the boys and they are training very hard. They are in great nick, so I don't want to get left behind.”