Victorious Black Ferns welcomed home

BY SARAH HARVEY

Last updated 14:19 08/09/2010

JOHN SELKIRK/The Dominion Post

VICTORIOUS HOMECOMING: The Black Ferns arrive home after winning the Rugby World Cup for the fourth consecutive time.

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A small but rowdy reception greeted the world conquering Black Ferns women's rugby team home today.

About 30 family and friends decked out in black nosily greeted 13 of the women's World Rugby Cup-winning team when they arrived at Auckland International Airport.

Two men put on an impromptu haka for the team, lead out by their captain Melissa Ruscoe.

The Ferns notched up New Zealand's fourth successive women's World Cup win after narrowly beating England 13-10 in the final at London – early on Monday morning (NZ time).

It was a tough final, with three Black Ferns shown the yellow card during the match – won in the 66th minute when Kelly Brazier kicked a penalty.

Ruscoe said the team had been celebrating for two days, but the win felt ''more real'' now that they are back on home soil.

Jock Hobbs, former chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, was in attendance to officially welcome the team – he has been recovering from treatment for cancer.

Also on hand was New Zealand Rugby Union vice-president and former All Black Bryan Williams.

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