All Blacks captain Sam Cane greets those awaiting the arrival of the team from the Rugby World Cup in France. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The All Blacks have touched down at Auckland International Airport three days after their crushing loss in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.
South Africa edged the 14-man All Blacks, 12-11, in an arm-wrestle of a Rugby World Cup final, claiming the Webb Ellis Cup for the fourth time in eight attempts.
The team arrived home from France this afternooon, and were greeted by a small but vocal crowd at Auckland Airport.
Captain Sam Cane was popular with fans at the airport who were eager to get selfies with him.
He said he had been pleasantly surprised by the support he had received in the wake of the match when he was sent off with a red card after a high tackle.
He said he was trying to be not too hard on himself but reiterated that he felt he had let the side down and the sending off was something he would have to live with for the rest of his life.
Head coach Ian Foster who is moving on from his role with the All Blacks was also among those arriving home. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The final was the last match in charge for departing head coach Ian Foster who is being succeeded by Crusaders coach Scott Robertson.
Foster told news media he was proud of the team's performances in France.
He said he will leave it to the media to assess his time as coach, but had this reflection on his stint in the top job.
"I think I got dealt a bunch of cards probably more different than any other All Black coach in many different ways in terms of the governance, the game, the leadership of the game, Covid, a whole lot of different things.
"All I can say is I did the best I could."
Foster has been involved with the All Blacks in a coaching capacity for 11 years.
Fans await the squad's arrival. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Utility back Damian McKenzie greets fans at Auckland International Airport. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Although the All Blacks did not succeed in their cup quest the tournament has enhanced the reputations of young players such as halfback Cam Roigard and prop Tamaiti Williams. However, it was not quite the sendoff the squad was hoping for for a crop of departing players, including Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock and Dane Coles.
One consolation was the naming of loose forward Ardie Savea as the best player in the world, at an awards function in Paris the day after the final.
Sam Cane takes time out for a photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi