Rugby World Champs NZ get rousing welcome in London

Reuters: Members of the New Zealand rugby squad attended a welcome ceremony in London on Saturday (12 September) as the players settle in one week ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Kieran Read, Codie Taylor and Liam Messam, Wyatt Crockett, Aaron Smith, T.J. Perenara, and Sam Cane attended the Haka 360° Experience Launch Event at AIG Touchline, on the South Bank.

The All Blacks arrived to a Powhiri - the traditional Maori welcome performed by London Maori Group, Ngati Ranana, culminating with a performance of the haka.

New Zealand arrived in the UK on Friday (11 September) and Read said he was excited to have arrived.

“It’s great to finally get on the plane from New Zealand and find our way over here, you know, quite a long flight as it is but it’s awesome to be here; a bit of sunshine too on the backs, which is nice,” Read said.

Taylor, added: “It was quite a long trip but no it’s good, the boys are pretty eager to get over on what was it, Thursday night. We sort of just had a bit of training that and we just wanted to get on that plane and get over here. But since we’ve been here England has been putting it on for us and London City is awesome, yes.”

New Zealand begin the title defence on 20 September against Argentina at Wembley Stadium.

Lessons from previous World Cup campaigns have been applied by New Zealand, though under less pressure than they were four years ago when they managed to end a 24-year title drought.

Mindful that teams who have won the World Cup have not retained it because the game moved on, coach Steve Hansen took the core of the side that won the 2011 tournament on home soil and reshaped the personnel and their tactics.

He has given 37 players a test debut since he assumed control in 2012, with almost half of those named in his World Cup squad.

Since the last World Cup they have won 42 of their 47 games, losing three, once each to England, South Africa and Australia, and drawing twice, both against the Wallabies.

Both their World Cup triumphs, in 1987 and 2011, came on home soil and they have suffered some heartbreaking defeats on their previous tournament excursions.

That alone should ensure there is no hint of complacency as they seek an unprecedented third victory.