John, Reuben and Roreta Kahui. Photo / Simon Plumb
John, Reuben and Roreta Kahui. Photo / Simon Plumb
Crowds have begun flocking to Eden Park ahead of tonight's Bledisloe Cup decider.
Fans have been gathering at nearby Kingsland since mid-afternoon, with bars and restaurants on New North Road doing a brisk trade.
Harold Corbett and son-in-law James Dobbie. Photo / Simon Plumb
A sell-out crowd of almost 50,000 fans will fill the Auckland ground, as the All Blacksseek to retain the Bledisloe Cup and provide captain Richie McCaw a victory to celebrate his world record-breaking 142nd test cap.
Lose, however, and it's kiss goodbye to McCaw's double celebration, the All Blacks' 12-year Bledisloe Cup winning streak and potentially masses of confidence just a month out from the launch of their Rugby World Cup defence in the UK - where they are trying to become the first team ever to win back-to-back RWC titles.
The All Blacks are aiming to bounce back from last weekend's 27-19 defeat to the Wallabies.
The game will also be a pre-World Cup farewell for McCaw Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock; all playing their final test in New Zealand.
Harold Corbett and son-in-law James Dobbie made their way to the game two hours early and said the public transport was smooth, taking the train to Kingsland from Britomart.
Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata and East Coast Rugby Football Union chief executive Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. Photo / Facebook
"We just breezed straight through, we were quite early but wanted to get a couple drinks in and avoid the late rush," Corbett said.
"We can't wait for this. We got our tickets a couple of months ago, James got them an surprised me with them. It's going to be a huge night."
Meanwhile the Kahui family were on the road at 10am this morning. John, Roreta and 10-year-old son Reuben made their trip from Taumarunui but said the game would be worth the trip.
"The traffic was fine for us, it was just a long drive after coming from Taumarunui," John said.
"It's going to be a really good game, Australia will have really thought about how they're going to attack us but I think the All Blacks will win."
Two hours before kick-off and Britomart train station was humming.
Hundreds of passengers have been taking advantage of the free train service to Kingsland with trains of over 20 carriages packed out.
