Bruce Graham, left, father Alec and John have a day at the races in 2012. The Manawatū connection on the Grand Slam tour extended beyond the playing fields. Watching from the stands was a rugby-mad Palmerston North barber following the team around while on his OE. John Graham started cutting the hair of the Manawatū players in team hotels and then their team-mates, becoming the All Blacks’ unofficial barber. His work was even noticed by rugby commentator Keith Quinn. As one game was beamed into New Zealand TV screens in the middle of the night, Quinn said as the All Blacks ran out: “They even got their local barber from Palmerston North to give them a haircut.”