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 7 a.m. local time. More than 2,000 fans, many having waited since 4 a.m., 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 has a victory parade through central Auckland later Wednesday and parades will be held in Christchurch on Thursday and Wellington on Friday.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.