Hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets of Auckland today as 2011 Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand embarked on a victory parade.
The team, led by captain Richie McCaw, beat France 8-7 yesterday to claim their first Webb Ellis trophy since the first tournament in 1987.
"It's such a small trophy but what it means is huge," McCaw told the assembled crowd of an estimated 240,000 people.
"It's pretty awesome. I'm blown away by the amount of people who are out.
"It means so much to everyone who supports the team and is a Kiwi at the moment. We're so pleased we've got it in our hands. It wasn't until turning up here we understood what it meant."
As the victory motorcade wove through central Auckland, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key offered the team his congratulations.
"The All Blacks have achieved the ultimate in world rugby - they have won the Rugby World Cup. It is an achievement built on courage, determination, grit and great teamwork," said Key.
"These are all values that New Zealanders hold highly and I know Kiwis will be very proud of their team. They are deserving world champions."
The All Blacks will take the cup on parades through Wellington and Christchurch in the coming days.
