The World Cup-winning All Blacks starred in a victory parade in Auckland yesterday after New Zealand's nail-biting 8-7 win over France in the final at Eden Park on Sunday, and it was joy all around.
At least 100,000 people lined Custom, Queen and Wellesley Sts and turned Auckland's CBD into a chanting, heaving throng of happy fans.
Heck, even the police got a clap from the crowd.
They came to the central city in their tens of thousands and some were sitting waiting for their idols nearly three hours before the scheduled start.
The crowds swelled and when the parade started people were 20-deep in places, with everyone straining for a view of the victorious All Blacks.
The crowd had kept itself amused by performing Mexican waves and giving a rousing reception to some of the volunteers who helped make the Rugby World Cup such a success.
But it was the men in black the crowd had come to see. The first sight of the lead vehicle carrying Dan Carter, assistant coach Steve Hansen and John Afoa saw the crowd find its voice and it only got louder.
Standing on the back of four-wheel-drive vehicles, the players were lapping it up.
Mixed in with bands and cheerleaders, some of the players looked the worse for wear after a night of celebrating but they still managed an occasional smile.
Centre Conrad Smith was obviously still on a high while Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu had the crowd rocking.
Almost a cult figure after the semifinal win against Australia, Weepu fired streamers into the crowd and looked to be enjoying every moment of the slow trip, while Nonu refuelled on takeaways.
Nonu and Weepu later got off their vehicle and danced with fans as the carnival rolled on.
Keven Mealamu had a couple of rugby balls thrown at him by fans hoping for his autograph.
Sadly, Mealamu called out: "I don't have a pen, sorry" and threw them back.
The 32-year-old hooker said it was possible he could manage four more years of the sport he loved.
"Most definitely.
"When you reach a life-long goal, you start again and set some new ones.
"Never say never - look at Brad Thorn."
But it was the vehicle bringing up the rear which got the biggest cheer. Richie McCaw, Graham Henry, Brad Thorn were among the group celebrating on the back of a truck with a certain trophy - namely the Webb Ellis Cup, won by the team in the final over France.
It glistened in the afternoon sun and looked bigger than it did on Sunday night.
Perhaps McCaw had used some elbow grease and polished the cup early yesterday.
- Additional reporting: The New Zealand Herald
