Piri crowd favourite as All Blacks depart for Rugby World Cup final

Piri Weepu is the hometown hero. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Piri Weepu got the biggest cheer as the All Blacks boarded their coach for Eden Park.

The players appeared focused as they filed out of their central Auckland hotel about 7.15pm.

Several hundred supporters broke into chants of 'All Blacks' as they jostled for position in front of barriers guarded by police and security guards. Dozens more looked on from a neighbouring multistorey car park.

Most were shouting for the All Blacks but there was good-natured banter with a few French fans.

Few players acknowledged the crowds before or after getting on the bus.

Sonny Bill Williams responded with a smile and Graham Henry offered a wave.

But it was Piri Weepu, who drew the most noise.

Courtney Fagan, 28, was delighted to see her favourite players Weepu and McCaw, who she said had shown "impressive leadership" during the tournament.

"And Piri stepping in for Dan (Carter) is pretty amazing. He's done a great job," she said.

Frenchman Jordan Herry wanted to catch a glimpse of the departing All Blacks but he was staying loyal to his team.

"I hope that France might win. It will be a tough game - probably one try difference," he said.

A housekeepers at the hotel said the players had been friendly and relaxed throughout their stay: "Every day they were really good - all of them," she said.