The All Blacks pleaded with New Zealanders to “keep the faith” at an emotional farewell on Wednesday as they left for France, intent on snapping a 20-year Rugby World Cup drought.
To the strains of a stirring haka and clutching a touch of home, the World Cup favourites made clear their determination to erase the chokers’ tag that has dogged them ever since they won the inaugural cup in 1987.
As if to underscore the lack of success since then, one television channel headlined its farewell broadcast by interviewing successful Australian World Cup captain John Eales on how to win rugby’s most prized trophy.
Thousands of people packed a suburban Auckland shopping mall in the early evening where captain Richie McCaw led the team through a prolonged autograph signing session to while away the hours before heading to the airport.
Midfield back Aaron Mauger described the turnout as “awesome”, particularly when an impromptu haka started.
“It was great to see all the support out there,” he said.
“We were pretty busy signing away and the head was down for much of the time, but [I] heard heaps of noise and the haka was a pretty good touch to send us off.”
Mauger said his message to the New Zealand fans was to keep backing the team.
“Just keep supporting us and having faith, and know that we will be doing our best. Hopefully we can bring the Cup home.”
In a sentimental touch, each of the 30 All Blacks is carrying a capsule of earth from every New Zealand rugby ground that has ever been trodden on by one of the 1 071 men who have represented New Zealand in the history of the sport.
The side were to fly to London overnight on Wednesday and then on to Corsica for a couple of days, before heading to France for their first match against Italy on Sunday week. — AFP