Sam Cane, Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr Barlow were greeted by happy fans at Tauranga Airport this morning.
Sam Cane, Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr Barlow were greeted by happy fans at Tauranga Airport this morning.
10.01am: Sam Cane and two of his fellow All Blacks touched down in Tauranga this morning, greeted by a enthusiastic crowd organised by Cane's number one fan - his grandmother.
Thelma Cane is a resident of Ocean Shores Village, where she organised a group of a dozen residents to greether grandson as well as Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr Barlow when they arrived at Tauranga Airport this morning.
A band of All Blacks supporters from Ocean Shores Village, where Sam Cane's grandmother live welcome team members to Tauranga. Photo/George Novak
However, Mrs Cane did not want give up on her voluntary work at Waipuna Hospice so in spite of organising the welcoming party, she was absent.
Ocean Shore general manager Sandy Quigley said they were big supporters of Sam Cane and the All Blacks.
Spencer Price, 11, Miila Price, 13, Lily Roper, 13, and Pipi Roper, 9, were waiting at the airport for the All Blacks to arrive and were eager to have their photo taken with the stars.
Spencer Price, 11, Miila Price, 13, Lily Roper, 13, and Pipi Roper, 9, have their photos taken with All Blacks Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane and Liam Messam. Photo/George Novak
Earlier: Three All Blacks will soon be touching down in Tauranga.
Whakatane has been selected as one of 10 lucky towns from around New Zealand to host the All Blacks ahead of the team's departure for Rugby World Cup 2015.
Before heading east, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr Barlow and Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane will be touching down in Tauranga and locals are encouraged to welcome them at the airport.
Tauranga fans are encouraged to get to Tauranga Airport between 9.15am-9.35am to welcome the players before they head to Whakatane.
