A Cook Islands cultural group and a high school kapa haka group have welcomed the victorious Black Ferns home.
Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili told fans at Auckland Airport this morning she always knew her team would win the Rugby World Cup.
She and the victorious rugby players were showered in hugs and kisses and decorated with colourful lolly necklaces and leaf lei and flower crowns when they arrivedto a noisy welcome from a large contingent of fans this morning.
A Cook Islands cultural group and members of Rutherford College's kapa haka group, Te Kotuku, greeted the team with a performance, and a kaumatua welcomed them back to New Zealand soil in prayer.
The Black Ferns then thanked the crowd with a haka of their own.
Songs, dances and prayers welcomed the Black Ferns. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Toka Natua, who became the first prop to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, reiterated the captain's thoughts, saying she too always knew they were going to win the tournament.
She said the support back home kept them strong, as well as the support in each other.
The Tokoroa-born player was met by a big welcome party, with family and friends turning out to see their champion.
"It's so good to be home. It's been a long month and I'm just keen to have my family time and be with them."
Now she was looking forward to the delights of home.
"Maybe just a Quarter Pounder with mayo," she laughed.
The World Cup was raised towards the heavens as the girls were invited to dance with cultural group members, as island drums beat loudly in the background.
Rutherford College has a special connection to the team through hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, who is a former pupil and whose mother is a teacher at the West Auckland high school.
Te Kura's brother, Paratene Ngata-Aerengamate, a student teacher at the college said they were incredibly proud of his sister as well as the team.
"I'm just very proud as a brother. She's paved the way for us in so many ways already and she's just awesome."
