A video had gone viral on social media showing the 10-year-old boy promising that he would bake a cake for Milner-Skudder if he helped the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup.
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Staff at Auckland’s airport treated the All Blacks to their own rendition of the Haka – complete with hi-vis jackets – as the team stepped off the plane.
McCaw thanked the large turnout at an early hour, which he says confirmed the support they could sense throughout their seven-week campaign in the United Kingdom.
Folau is out of contract in 2018 and the 26-year-old has reportedly refused to close the door on a return to rugby league after helping Australia reach the Rugby World Cup final last month.
Entertainment included Auckland’s popular opera singers Sole3 Mio, and Ladi6 and DJ 09, who kept the crowd in the mood, before the team arrived and was welcomed on to Victoria Park with a rousing karanga from Ngati Whatua.
The celebrations also included the Haka, a traditional pre-war dance originally performed by tribes indigenous to New Zealand.
Inside the airport, about 4 000 black-clad supporters, a few of whom had camped out overnight for a glimpse of their heroes, packed the arrivals hall.
Betway’s Alan Alger said “We are pretty confident that Richie McCaw will soon settle on his achievements and add a knighthood to what can only be described as an illustrious career”.
We did get a bit rattled in the second half when the Wallabies scored those tries but you could see him stand up to the challenge.
Hailed as the greatest side to have ever played the game, New Zealand were the first team to win the World Cup three times and the first to retain the trophy following their 34-17 victory over neighbours Australia at Twickenham on 31 October.
The outgoing Dan Carter was thrilled to be back home.
All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw has been bestowed the honour of freedom by the Auckland Mayor.
“So Ben got back out there and away we went, and after that it was OK”, said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen about the final against Australia.
Thousands are expected to follow the team along the parade route as they make their way to Hagley Park.
“We heard that this country was going pretty nuts on Sunday morning and now we can all smile for the next four years knowing we are world champions”.
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“Our winning record’s not measured over tomorrow or even a five-year stint between Rugby World Cups, our legacy has been 130 years of winning over 75 per cent of our games”.
