The World Cup-winning All Blacks have been welcomed home with a haka from airport staff in Auckland.
Arriving in heavy rain on a black Air New Zealand jet this morning, the team was treated to a rendition of the Maori war dance by workers wearing hi-vis on the runway.
A further 4000 black-clad supporters were waiting inside the terminal for the nation’s beloved rugby heroes.
Skipper Richie McCaw with the William Webb Ellis trophy in Auckland today. (Getty)
Man-of-the-match in the final in his last All Blacks appearance, decorated flyhalf Dan Carter said the team was thrilled with the support from back home.
"It's such a special feeling," Carter told reporters.
"We're all proud New Zealanders and it's amazing to see the support that we've got.
"We'd read about it and spoken to family and friends back home, but to see it first-hand, it's great."
The All Blacks have historically performed a number of different versions of the iconic dance before its Test matches, including before Sunday morning’s final win over the Wallabies at Twickenham.
