RUGBY ROMANCE - BLACK FERN SAYS YES TO HER CHIEF!

Engaged sporting stars Grace and Rameka are kicking couple goals

When it comes to popping the question, there are so many different ways of planning the big moment - a romantic dinner, a beachside stroll or even a scenic hike. A fake photoshoot, though? Well, that's a new one!

But for Māori All Black and Chiefs midfielder Rameka Poihipi, nothing but extraordinary would do for his proposal to the love of his life, Black Ferns and Matatū rugby star Grace Steinmetz.

"I wanted to make sure everything had been taken care of, in the sense that Grace would definitely cotton on if it all wasn't planned out perfectly," says Rameka, 25.

A laughing Grace, 26, adds, "Yeah, I'm a bit of an investigator - I've completed my law degree, so I guess it comes naturally! But Rameka did the most incredible job."

Luring his girlfriend to the beach in her hometown of Paraparaumu under the guise of helping their photographer pal Eve Thomas with a seaside shoot for her client Pāmu Jewellery, Rameka had it all figured out.

"Eve turned into a little engagement fairy godmother," laughs Grace. "She'd done my makeup for the shoot, of course - and organised all the pieces of the puzzle. She and Rameka had even sorted for us to go out to dinner after the shoot, which explained why we were all dressed up a little more than usual!