Hundreds Of Fans Welcome ABs Home

Publish date
Wednesday, 4 Nov 2015, 9:22AM

The All Blacks, fresh from the Rugby World Cup win, have been welcomed by a sea of cheering fans at Auckland Airport.

Coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw took to the microphone to thank hundreds of fans at the airport for the warm welcome.

After weeks away and a very long flight, the skipper was glad to be home.

"I guess it's gonna be nice to be back in your own bed. I think we've been in about twelve different hotels since we left, but we're gonna enjoy the next few days going around the country and saying thanks," McCaw said.

Coach Steve Hansen looked bleary eyed as he thanked the crowd for turning up.

"We had a bit of an idea that there was a few people getting excited about the whole thing. Right throughout the whole tournament the support's been fantastic," he said.

Air New Zealand staff have performed a haka on the tarmac after the flight landed.

A fan from Kumeu is there with his 10-year-old son who was up with the birds waiting to see his heroes.

"We're gonna try get some signatures, we've got a spare pen there for his jersey and we've got a World Cup ball here, so hopefully we'll get some signatures from our legends," he said.

He has a very clear message for Richie McCaw: "I'd say 'Job well done mate, the whole country loves yah'."

The airport put on free parking for fans, many of whom arrived in the early hours to get prime spots.

The team will then head to Victoria Park in the central city, for a celebration kicking off at 11am.

The All Blacks will take the Webb Ellis Cup to Christchurch tomorrow, and Wellington on Friday.

MetService forecaster Emma Blades says it will be chilly day and there could be a shower or two as well.

Communications network Spark is warning of disruptions to their mobile network in and around Victoria park during the celebrations.

 

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