Michael Wagteveld is still a little hazy how he landed the job that has made him a Canterbury sporting icon for almost three decades.
"I'm family friends with the Blackadders and back in the day, when Todd was playing, I used to go onto the embankment with his brother Scottie and watch," he told AM.
"We went to an aftermatch with the Blackadder family and probably had a few too many Fantas at the supporters club. Todd's mother came up to me and said, 'I've got a job for you'.
"Next morning, I woke up and thought,'What have I done?'"
Soon after, Wagteveld began his undercover life as Canterbury rugby mascot Larry the Lamb, a role he will finally step down from this year.
"It's been a good ride - a lot of fun," he said.
The popular character has had the best seat in the stadium for some of Canterbury's greatest rugby moments, highlighted by its dominance of the Ranfurly Shield, amassing 61 successful defence during that period.
"I got helicoptered into Lancaster Park with the shield," said Wagteveld. "Canterbury has won the shield a few times and winning the shield has always been a great occasion.
"I loved the kids and I still get Canterbury players come up to me now, saying, 'I used to watch you as a kid'.
"Larry's a big naughty, he can get away with a bit of mischief and he used to have a bit of fun with the crowd."
Wagteveld has been on the other side of that fan enthusiasm.
"I've been in a couple of altercations," he recalled. "I got taken out at a Blenheim game, crashed-tackled by an overzealous fan and taking all the skin off my face.
"I chased the guy across the field into the carpark and he was hiding under a caravan, with a very angry Larry the Lamb looking for him. I got a letter of apology from the rugby union for that one."
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