Passengers on the Air New Zealand flight which carried home the victorious All Black team got to hold the coveted Webb Ellis Cup as it was passed around the plane.
Northland couple Jane and Roger Hutchings with the Rugby World Cup on their flight home. Photo: Supplied
Northland couple Jane and Roger Hutchings, who travelled to the UK for the series leading up to the World Cup final, said it was the perfect ending to a great trip.
More on the All Blacks' return to New Zealand
Mrs Hutchings said the All Blacks on today's flight were hugely obliging to fans. She said they were told earlier the team would be on the flight.
"We could see a lot of media standing around at Heathrow. We checked our bags in and stood in the airport area - they went through security and once in the departure area, they were so obliging with photos and the crowd and airport staff. Lots of people of different nationalities were getting their photo taken with them.
"I got a few photos with a few of the 'boys'. Once we boarded they were also really gracious with their time."
Mrs Hutchings said Air New Zealand announced they were going to bring the cup around.
"It was fantastic because they didn't just walk up and down the aisles with the gold cup - they let every passenger hold that cup, and took the passengers' phones and cameras and took photos of them holding the cup - right through the whole plane.
"It was really cool to think, 'wow, we've held that cup'."
She said it was a good way to end a great trip.
The Hutchings joined an All Blacks tour in October, which took them to Cardiff and London, where they witnessed some nail-biting moments.
"We went on an All Blacks tour to see the quarter finals, the semis and the final of the World Cup, including the amazing All Black-French game," Mrs Hutchings said.
She said Cardiff was a "rugby mad" city which was right behind the All Blacks, especially after Wales was knocked out of the tournament. She said they managed some sightseeing before heading to London and the semi final against South Africa.
"It was a real nail-biter. We were very subdued, very nervous, and luckily we won."
They had time to recover before the South Africa-Argentina game.
"All the other countries knocked out were so supportive of New Zealand - South Africa, Argentina, France were behind us. They have huge respect for the All Blacks."
Mrs Hutchings said there wasn't much "yellow" in the stands during the final at Twickenham, where the atmosphere was unreal with the crowd chanting "All Blacks, All Blacks".
"They [Australia supporters] were way out-numbered by expatriate Kiwis and every other country supporting the All Blacks. It was tingly and really, really cool."
