Fans gather to watch All Blacks training session

Young All Blacks fan Caia Wells with her mum Vicky Wells attend the All Blacks open training session. Photo / Dean Purcell, NZ Herald

Fans have gathered at a West Auckland stadium to watch the All Blacks at their final public event before they head to England for the Rugby World Cup.

A spatter of rain as the team bus pulled up to Trusts Arena in Henderson had fans reaching for their umbrellas, but as the ABs came onto the field the rain cleared.

Fans in jerseys, carrying posters and shirts to be signed arrived at the arena as early as 9am, eager for the chance to see their heroes train and have some interaction following the training session.

As the players run drills on the field there's a lot of noise from the players and cheers from the crowd.

Vicky Wells came to the training session today with daughter Caia.

Mrs Wells was wearing an All Blacks jacket and her 10-month-old daughter was sporting an All Blacks bib over her pink hoodie.

"This was actually the first gift she was given. She was swimming in it for awhile, and she finally fits it," she said.

"I brought her here because it's the last time for her to see some of the players who won't be coming back [after the world cup] like Richie [McCaw].

"I'm really hopeful I can get a photo of her with one of them."

She was a massive fan, Mrs Wells said, and the family live in Kingsland so they're able to go to every game at Eden Park.

Among the crowd of fans were students from Nga Kakano o te Kaihanga Kura.

The students said they were hoping to get autographs from the team.

Denzil Grant had taken a half-day off work to bring his 4-year-old son Aidan along.

"I thought I've never been to one before, and [Aidan] is a massive fan, so why not?"

His favourite players were Keven Mealamu and Dan Carter, Aidan said.

"It's pretty cool to watch, I saw they had a really hard training yesterday so I thought today would be more of a loose run around," Mr Grant said.

Three 11-year-old teammates from Kumeu Rugby Club had come along to the training with their parents.Levi Kinghorn, Ronan Flaunty and Harrison Wills were happy to see the team training up close.

Levi had a message for the All Blacks ahead of the World Cup: "Go hard, win all your games."

Harrison said: "Hold the cup up again."

About 300 people were watching the training session from the grandstand at Trusts Arena.

After training, the players took their time signing balls, shirts and cards for young fans.

Younger kids patiently waited for their favourite players to make their way along.

Quinton Oxford, 11, was getting his rugby uniform signed by players.

"I want to get all the signatures of the players who are leaving," he said.

He was attending the training with his friend Dante Te Wake.The 10-year-old was wearing an All Blacks jersey.

"It thought it was an amazing day, especially getting all the All Blacks' signatures."

Happy fans received several signatures from players just as the rain started in Henderson.

Members of the crowd yelled "good luck" as they bid farewell to the All Blacks ahead of their challenge in England.