Break out the ticker tape and confetti - Dunedin wants to welcome back its rugby heroes. The city is among those putting their hands up to host a welcome home parade for the All Blacks.
Mayor Dave Cull said the Dunedin City Council was ''in contact'' with New Zealand Rugby Union officials about the possibility of a parade in the city.
Whether one could be staged, and when, would depend on the union and the availability of players, he said.
''We'd love to have a parade, especially to honour those guys like Ben Smith, who come from down this way, but obviously it depends on who's available,'' Mr Cull said.
New Zealand Rugby general manager of rugby Neil Sorensen said plans for the team's welcome home would be announced later today. The players arrive in Auckland on Wednesday.
''We are busy confirming details on how we will welcome back the All Blacks and the Webb Ellis Cup this week, before the players and management return home to their families.''
Dunedin was overlooked for an official parade following the All Blacks' 2011 tournament triumph, when players showed off the Webb Ellis Cup in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The cup was instead taken to 41 towns and cities, including Queenstown, Oamaru and Dunedin, early the following year.
The Herald on Sunday has reported Auckland as likely to be the first city to officially welcome home the All Blacks. A parade is pencilled in for Wednesday.
Christchurch was expected to follow on Thursday, and Wellington would celebrate on Friday.
Mr Cull said the city was again ''making our desire for a parade known'' but it was ''really a matter of what's possible. We would love the whole team, but we've got to be realistic.''
It would be good to give the maximum number of people the chance to interact with the players able to come, he said.
