Thousands of fans turned out at Auckland airport on Wednesday to welcome home the Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks.
Ground crew for national carrier Air New Zealand performed a haka as the aircraft carrying the team taxied to its gate around 7am local time.
Air New Zealanders on the tarmac giving the @AllBlacks a welcome home fit for legends. #CrazyAboutRugby #WelcomeHome pic.twitter.com/57QdlIFKjC
— Air New Zealand (@FlyAirNZ) November 3, 2015
In a final claimed by some to be the tournament’s best ever, the All Blacks fended off Australia 34-17 at Twickenham on Saturday.
On Wednesday morning, more than 2,000 fans, many having waited since 4 am, cheered wildly when the team appeared in the terminal, led by captain Richie McCaw carrying the trophy.
McCaw called the support “amazing” and coach Steve Hansen described the welcome as “overwhelming”.
Flyhalf Dan Carter said: “There’s happiness that all that hard work has paid off. It’s just such a special feeling.”
The team then made their way to Auckland’s Victoria Park, where huge crowds had gathered in the rain to see the world-beating players, who paraded past fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
Finally making it to the stage, McCaw led the team – and the Webb Ellis Cup – on to the platform, to the song Men in Black.
8yo Ava Anderson was too shy to pose for a picture. But her poster for @SonnyBWilliams was too cute. #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/NqoCGdyMcE
— Sam Boyer (@SamJBoyer) November 4, 2015
Sonny Bill Williams – who won global affection after giving his winner’s medal to a young boy in the crowd after the final – carried his daughter on stage.
Addressing the crowd of thousands, McCaw said: “Seeing you all here has made it all worthwhile.
“There’s no better feeling than being able to hold that cup up again. We had heard this country was going pretty nuts on Sunday morning.”
The team has a victory parade through central Auckland later on Wednesday, and further parades will be held in Christchurch on Thursday and Wellington on Friday.
