New Zealand coach Graham Henry admitted the All Blacks were scarred for life by their agonising World Cup exit as the team received an unexpectedly warm welcome home on Wednesday.
About 1 000 fans broke into chants of ”All Blacks, All Blacks” as 17 of the 30-man squad arrived at Christchurch airport.
Henry, who is likely to pay for the failure with his job, said the top-rated All Blacks would never forget their disappointment after crashing out in the quarterfinals.
”We’ll be scarred for the rest of our lives, and I mean that,” Henry said.
”We’ll always remember this but we feel we have done everything in our power to do the business.”
The rousing welcome was also tempered by news that winger Doug Howlett had been arrested in London after two cars were damaged outside the team hotel early on Tuesday.
”It is a serious matter and we are concerned that something of this nature has occurred at what is already a disappointing time for the team and for our supporters,” All Blacks manager Darren Shand said in a statement.
Howlett became the record try-scorer for the All Blacks during the World Cup but then missed out on selection for the 20-18 loss to France.
The defeat condemned the overwhelming favourites to their earliest-ever exit, dashing hopes of a first world title since 1987 and sending fans into a deep gloom.
But there were few signs of recriminations from supporters as the players arrived at Christchurch airport.
When the team emerged into the arrivals area, fans started singing ”For they are jolly good fellows”, mixed with only an occasional boo.
A group of Maori performers broke into a haka as players reacted with relief and embarrassment.
”I can’t believe the response is like this,” fullback Leon McDonald said.
”We never would have dreamed so many people would have come out to welcome us home. It’s quite humbling.”
Veteran hooker Anton Oliver echoed the sentiment.
”I think the boys felt kind of strange, like we didn’t really deserve it. It wasn’t embarrassing, but it did feel unusual to be accepted for our failures,” he said.
There was scant sign of the anger expressed by some fans on radio talkback shows as supporters carried banners reading ”We love the All Blacks” and ”All Blacks — You always make us proud”.
”We’re gutted, I was in tears mate, but we still support them,” said 16-year-old Cam Rickerby, who was skipping school with two friends.
Pensioner Margaret Johnson (74) said it was important for supporters to show they still backed the team, which had left for the World Cup as strong favourites.
”We want them to know we still love them, they’ve done us proud so often,” she said.
”I remember one of the times I was really depressed [after a previous World Cup failure] but I realised, how ridiculous are we to rely on these young men to make us feel good?”
”It’s totally unfair. I hope they don’t feel too down — I think it’s really awful they’re scared to come home.”
However, the All Black hierarchy faces some tough questions with the New Zealand Rugby Union planning an inquiry into the failed World Cup campaign.
The union is due to name a new coaching team by the end of the year, with Henry and his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith almost sure to be replaced.
Most of the other players and management team are due to return on Friday. The 29-year-old Howlett, who is due to take up a contract with Irish club Munster, will not be among them. — Sapa-AFP