Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

All Blacks fly halves Carter and Nick Evans, inside centres Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger, scrum half Byron Kelleher and full back Leon MacDonald joined 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Zidane in running a kicking clinic for 10 young radio competition winners from the south of France.

Carter was impressed with Zidane's kicking skills, but doubts that he (Carter) would be anywhere near as good with a football.

"He was a natural. It is hard to tell what he needs to improve, for his second time he is pretty good," Carter said, before adding: "I think he would show me up with a soccer ball, he would teach me a thing or two."

Zidane enjoyed the day and was happy with his progress with the oval ball.

"I am pleased to be here and enjoyed the pleasant day. It was great to be here with the kids as well," he said.

"It is not the first time that I've done that (kicking a rugby ball). I did it with Fabien Galthie (ex-French rugby captain) a couple of months ago and it was catastrophic. Today was better."

Scrum half Kelleher, who will join Top 14 side Toulouse after RWC 2007, was keen to stretch his French language skills, greeting Zidane with "bonjour ami".

"I really enjoyed the day with Zinedine Zidane and the children. Today was about uniting sports together and is brilliant because childhood memories last forever," he said.

Kelleher could have been talking about 19-year-old Frank Amzar, one of the lucky 10 for whom the inclusion of Zidane was a total surprise.

The youngster said: "I love football and rugby and meeting the All Blacks was superb. I was expecting the All Blacks, but not Zinedine Zidane, so to meet him was magic."