Queenstown - and the pupils at Wakatipu High School - left a lasting impression on England rugby hooker Steve Thompson, who said he and his team-mates were happy to give something back to the community which made them feel so welcome.
The England squad arrived in Queenstown 10 days ago and left on Friday, two days before its winning performance at Otago Stadium against Georgia.
While controversy has surrounded the team's night out in the resort, Thompson said in a column written for ESPNscrum.com, and published in The Independent, the "overreaction" about last Sunday night had soured what had been a "great week in what is an amazing place".
Thompson said the training facilities at the Queenstown Events Centre were "great" and the scenery was phenomenal.
"We had a fantastic view from our hotel and from my window all I could see was the lake and the mountains in front of me. I loved it so much I slept with the curtains open so I could wake up to that view every day!"
Thompson said he did not go too crazy on activities in the "adrenalin capital", but nonetheless enjoyed a "fantastic helicopter ride" on the way to Wakatipu High School last Thursday.
Thompson and team-mates Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Croft and Dan Cole dropped in to the school for more than an hour last Thursday, and while the helicopter flight which took them into the mountains was a highlight, it was just the start of a "great afternoon".
"We landed in the school field to be greeted by the lads performing the haka before putting their first XV through their paces in a training session.
"It's great to be able to do things like that in the community and give something back, as we were made to feel so welcome during our stay.
"The kids appeared to really enjoy it and so did we.
"With the World Cup action happening in the big towns, I think they loved the chance to feel part of the buzz."
