New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup-winning team returned home to a heroes welcome.
The All Blacks were greeted at Auckland by the airport staff performing a haka – a traditional Maori dance that the team performs before matches.
And inside the airport were 4,000 fans, all dressed in black, packing out the arrivals hall to welcome them home – some had even camped out their overnight, Sky News reports.
The team’s captain, Richie McCaw, came in holding the Web Ellis Cup, only 72-hours after his team had beaten Australia to win the world title.
McCaw told Sky: “The support’s been amazing, so to bring this back is pretty awesome.” Coach Steve Hansen added: “It’s not too bad is it. We’re starting to get used to having it around.”
According to Sky, New Zealand are the first team to have won the World Cup three times, and – after their 34-17 victory last weekend – are also the first to retain the trophy.
