"You'd better pack your bags!" AB debutant flies father to SA for Ellis Park cracker

It probably ranked as one of the best phone calls of Arnold Newell’s life when his 22 year-old son, Fletcher, told him to pack his bags and advance to the nearest airport because he was going to watch his boy earn a first All Black cap. 

Hailing from the small community of Leithfield in North Canterbury, Fletcher joined the ranks of the Crusaders in 2021 and it was immediately evident that the youngster was a special talent in the number 3 jersey. His efforts have paid off as he now finds himself on tour with the national side with just a trio of Crusaders caps under his belt. 

 “He said ‘we’re getting you over for my debut’,” Arnold Newell said of the phone call, which reportedly began with "You'd better pack your bags!"  

“It was pretty emotional. It’s pretty surreal really. We’re just average New Zealanders and it’s pretty special,” a teary eyed Newell said. 

In an expression of pride in both his son and his town, Arnold put the following sign up on the State Highway 1 at Leithfield. 

“I did put a sign up just to let the country know that Fletcher from the Leithfield community is an All Black. 

“It’s just because I’m so proud. 

“So if they don’t know who he is now they will know and I’m pretty sure that after the game, everyone will know him.” 

Sadly, Newell's mother, Sarah, passed away when the former was just 15 years old.

“He’s just boxed on, carried on, left that behind a wee bit,” Arnold said.

“He’s got a wee tattoo on his arm for his mum.”