100,000 fans scream for All Blacks

Wellington goes wild for boys in black

Last updated 15:13 26/10/2011

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All Blacks celebration hits Wellington

All Blacks arrive in Civic Square

All Blacks Haka on the steps of Parliament

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Off the field

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All Black captain Richie McCaw called Wellington's parade "pretty awesome'', while Dan Carter said he was "overwhelmed'' by the capital city's support.

For Victor Vito it was the best of the parades.

More than 100,000 Wellingtonians packed the capital's streets this afternoon to catch a glimpse of their All Blacks rugby heroes clutching the World Cup trophy.

Nearly 200,000 people gathered in central Auckland on Monday and yesterday 50,000 turned out in Christchurch's Hagley Park.

A spokesman for Wellington City Council said early estimates put today's crowd above the 100,000 mark.

"It was possibly one of the biggest parades we have ever seen."

Wellington Police Inspector Simon Perry said there were "no major incidents'' at this afternoon's parade.

A few children had become lost from their caregivers in the big crowds but all had been reunited, Mr Perry said.

Metlink has advised that central city diversions are over and all buses are following normal routes. However, passengers should expect delays with high passenger numbers.

TranzMetro has also advised it is experiencing high passenger loading on all services due to post-parade commuters.

While metal barriers lined Lambton Quay - Willis St was left un-fenced and crowds swarmed the All Black's convoy to try and touch the team. Female fans hovered on the footpath, screaming support and holding suggestive signs. Along the route, people crowded balconies, climbed atop awnings and hung out office building windows to watch the parade.

Wellington Girls College students held posters suggesting: "Wanna shag Dagg?" and "Inseminate me Kahui" - Dagg replied with a smile and a thumbs up.

Three Upper Hutt girls held aloft another sign reading: "Have you got beaver fever?", while others proposed marriage to their favourite men in black.

The celebration parade - which began at Civic Square at 12.15 and ended just after 2pm at Parliament Buildings - saw central Wellington grind to a halt as roads were closed and buses re-routed.

The roar of the crowd was so loud it could be heard from several kilometres away.

Civic Square was packed with supporters who yelled and screamed as All Black captain Richie McCaw gave a short speech.

Each All Black was called out individually with loud cheers for Wellington local - and All Black winger - Cory Jane and injured No 10 Aaron Cruden.

The players and coaching staff climbed aboard trailers towed by five black utes for the procession, with the final trailer holding All Black coach Graham Henry, Richie McCaw, retiring players Mils Muliaina and Brad Thorn, local heroes Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu and the shiny, gold William Webb Ellis Cup.

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At Parliament Prime Minister John Key said: "It's been a pretty tough 12 months for our country. One thing we absolutely needed for 2011 was for you guys to bring home the world cup."

Richie McCaw said the last few days had been "unforgettable". "It's blown the team away, your support."

Wellington born All Black No 8 Victor Vito told The Dominion Post - in between signing rugby balls - that this was the best parade of the team's nationwide tour.

It was special for him because it was his home town, he said.

His eight-year-old cousin Melania Lui was at the parade to cheer on Vito.

"We prayed they would win and we are so proud of all of them,'' she said.

After the arrival at Parliament, each All Black was called out by name and shook hands with Prime Minister John Key.

Send your parade photos to web@dompost.co.nz or text them to 027 491 4963

LIVE BLOG

Our reporter Bronwyn Torrie was live blogging from the parade:

2.04pm: The All Blacks filed onto their team bus which was waiting out the back with a police escort.

The public lined the driveway as the motorcade left.

1.56pm: The All Blacks did a haka on the steps and have now gone inside Parliament.

1.51pm: Prime Minister John Key said: "It's a damp day in Wellington but nothing's going to dampen the sprirt of this crowd. They're not just the mighty All Blacks, they're the Rugby World Cup champions.

"We're so proud of you and bring it home in 2015."

Graham Henry said: "Thanks for all your support. Thanks for supporting the cup and thanks for supporting the team."

Richie McCaw said: "The last two days have been something pretty unforgettable - we don't really want it to end.

"Thanks on behalf of the team. It's been a hell of a six weeks and we can be the world champions for four years so we're going to enjoy it."

1.47pm: The roll call just finished with Richie McCaw holding the cup. He didn't even need an introduction and the crowd went crazy.

Lockwood Smith is welcoming the team. He is thanking the crowd for waiting in the cold for hours and thanking the All Blacks for bringing such joy in the last few weeks. "It's unforgettable and just so great."

1.42pm: The All Blacks are on the steps of Parliament and each of their names is being called out with the crowd cheering them on. The All Blacks are all shaking John Key's hand.

Lots of people are leaving as the rain sets in.

1.30pm: The All Blacks mingled with MPs and shook hands.

Other fan signs include "Richard Kahui 4 Prime Minister" and "Kiss me Cruden".

The last of the trailers has arrived. Richie McCaw is carrying the cup.

1.17pm: The first trailer-load of All Blacks has arrived and they are now walking along the barrier at Parliament giving high-fives and signing autographs. Aaron Cruden is hobbling in his leg brace.

1.14pm: The parade has entered Parliament grounds. St Mary's College girls are holding up a sheet with "Israel you must be cupid, because you put a dagger through my heart" on it.

The balconies around Beehive are filled with people while the area in front is jammed with fans.

1.05pm: Ka Mate was performed four times by Otaki Primary School students and Steve Hansen joined in as the trailer went past.

Meanwhile outside Parliament Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader Phil Goff are entertaining the crowd by shaking hands and having their photos taken as more than a thousand people wait in the rain for the All Blacks to arrive. The crowd there is pretty quiet.

A group from a Samoa pre-school in Newtown have been waiting for more than two hours to catch a glimpse.

12.59pm: We're coming to the end of Lambton Quay. Leading the way is the RNZAF central band. Apparently Parliament is already packed.

All the balconies along Lambton Quay are filled with workers.

A dozen boys and girls from Otaki Primary School are warming up to unleash Ka Mate on their heroes. They are getting really psyched up doing pukana and puffing out their cheeks.

12.54pm: The parade is moving really slowly now as volunteers and police try to keep fans off the road.

12.48pm: Signs from Wellington Girls College include: "Wanna shag Dagg?" and "Inseminate me Kahui". Dagg gave the shag sign a thumbs up.

12.44pm: Three Upper Hutt girls have a sign saying: "Have you got beaver fever?" while several other girls have signs asking various All Blacks to marry them. It isn't known yet whether any of the All Blacks have accepted the proposals.

Dan Carter said that he was "overwhelmed" at the support from Wellingtonians.

12.40pm: Victor Vito said, inbetween signing rugby balls, that this was the best parade. It was special for him because it's his home town.

12.33pm: There are no barriers on Willis St and the crowd is pushing up against the trailers as people clamour to touch the All Blacks. It's pretty intense. There are barriers on Lambton Quay where the last truck is turning into.

The three girls who lined up from 8.30am are still on their bench. Alicia Murden said she stared into the eyes of Israel Dagg. Maddie Barnett said she touched Dan Carter and screamed with excitement.

The crowd is going crazy and dancing to Batucada.

12.29pm: Richie McCaw said it was "pretty awesome" and that it hadn't sunk in yet.

The roar of the crowd can be heard from several blocks away.

12.26pm: Mercer St is completely full with fans. People are hanging out of windows and off balconies. Brad Thorn is holding the cup in the air and high-fiving people. People are high-fiving me as well. It's hilarious.

12.22pm: I just got a pat on the head from Graham Henry - he said it was "going great". The ticker tape is flowing. The band Batacuda has now started up and the noise is deafening.

12.17pm: The team is getting on the floats. On the last float will be Mils Muliaina, Brad Thorn, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Graham Henry and Richie McCaw. The parade is about to get under way.

12.15pm: The team clapped and chanted "Beaver! Beaver! Beaver!" just before Richie McCaw began his speech. They are calling out the players individually and each is getting a massive cheer. Huge cheers for Aaron Cruden and Cory Jane. Piri Weepu is carrying his daughter, who has a little All Blacks hoodie on.

12.10pm: Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is reading her speech off an iPad. "It is an honour and a great pleasure for us to welcome the mighty All Blacks."

Light rain is falling.

12.08pm: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is holding up the Webb Ellis Cup to the delight of the crowd - who are screaming and chanting. All the All Blacks are standing behind McCaw. Aaron Cruden has a full leg brace on. Ali Williams is wearing sunglasses and Piri Weepu has a beanie on.

12.06pm: Management have gathered on the stage. All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson has arrived. Coach Graham Henry is waving to the crowd and grinning.

12.02pm: People are hanging out of windows above Civic Square waving black and white flags. Fans are packing the library windows.

11.50am: Eight year old Melania Lui was at Civic Square to cheer on her cousin, Victor Vito. "We prayed they would win and we are so proud of all of them."

The square is nearly full to capacity.

11.48am: Mayor Celia Wade-Brown will be giving a speech in Civic Square in about 15 minutes. The All Blacks are due to arrive soon after that.

Brooklyn School has arrived in the square and their cheers of "All Blacks" All Blacks!" are lounder than the music.

11.44am: Willis Street is filling up as spits of rain start to fall ahead of the All Blacks victory parade today.

About six classes from Newtown Primary school are already lined up and volunteers in their green uniforms are working to make sure people stay off the road.

An "Occupy Welly supports the All Blacks" sign is also up.

Wellington Boys' College years 9 and 10 have been let out for the afternoon and dozens od students are at Civic Square where reggae music is blaring.

Occupy Wellington protesters are serving free tea and coffee as well as doing facepainting. The protesters have moved most of their tents from the Jack Illott Green.

There are five utes pulling four trailers in Civic Square waiting to carry the All Blacks.

Related stories:

All Blacks arrive at Wellington Airport

Occupiers told they can stay for ABs parade

Next Off the field story:

Weepu was victim of injury curse

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