The All Blacks had their last sleep on home turf before taking off on the task of trying to keep the World Cup on foreign soil.
All Black flanker Jerome Kaino. Photo: Photosport
About 500 children and parents turned out at Trusts Arena in Auckland to watch the likes of Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter go through their final preparations, with the side's first match against Argentina at Wembley eleven days away.
Wednesday's practice run was a little lighter than usual with the session as much about the fans as it was about the players.
Children waited in the stands for over an hour hoping to get their favourite player's autograph.
Their patience paid off, with the team spending around 20 minutes signing anything they could get their hands on.
Prop Wyatt Crockett, who missed the 2011 World Cup, said he's been preparing for this year's tournament the moment he was left out four years ago.
"We're all looking forward to it, the last few weeks have gone by quite slowly, just knowing what's around the corner I just want to get over there now and get amongst it," Crockett said.
Player of the tournament in that Cup winning 2011 team, flanker Jerome Kaino says it helps to have players along who were part of that successful campaign.
"The team is excited, we're ready, obviously there's been a long build up to heading over and it can't come soon enough," Kaino said.
The All Blacks fly out from Auckland to England on Thursday night.