From homeless to hero RON'S SECRET WEAPON

The All Black great shares his troubled journey to stardom

- Hayley Barnett

Former All Black Ron Cribb has a secret weapon when it comes to anything competitive-his F immense resilience. Ironically, it's a trait he learned growing up with the charity he now represents on this season of Celebrity Treasure Island.

Stand For Children takes in some of New Zealand's most vulnerable children, who suffer from trauma, abuse and neglect, and provides a safe environment for them to learn to thrive.

"The reason I chose them is because I was one of them," says Ron, 46. "I went there when I was nine or 10 with my brother. I'm really grateful for what they did to give us hope. They show children what it's like to be loved and cared for, and teach them that their life is purposeful." Having entered Treasure Island as an intruder on day seven, Ron is one of 21 celebrity contestants competing for the $100,000 prize money, which goes towards their chosen charity.

Ron's choice is a huge motivator for him, he says.

To be successful at anything, and especially to be at the very top of your game, there are a lot of elements at play, but Ron acknowledges that if it wasn't for Stand For Children, he might not have made it as one of New Zealand's top rugby players.

"To become an All Black, you've got to put yourself out there and you've got to believe in yourself," explains Ron.

"Multiple traumatic things happened throughout my upbringing, which have been a big challenge for me.