Click here for photos of the squad departing, or on the link to the right to see the full squad
KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks left New Zealand late last night carrying the weight of a nation's hopes and dreams.
But a Herald-Digipoll survey reveals that, for once, the team may not be over-burdened with expectations - one in four people have doubts about the All Blacks' chances of winning rugby's World Cup.
More than 28 per cent of those polled said they were not confident the team would bring home the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Perhaps suffering from repeated broken hearts since the All Blacks' win in the first cup tournament 20 years ago, only half those polled said they were confident of victory in France, and almost 20 per cent said they didn't know.
But 62 per cent felt coach Graham Henry had the team well prepared for a tilt at rugby glory.
But cup reservations didn't stop hundreds of fans going to the airport to scream and cheer as the All Blacks arrived.
The players quickly signed a few autographs before hurrying through check-in.
Aaron Mauger asked the Herald to send a message to fans to "keep supporting us, have faith and hopefully we will bring the cup home". Earlier, an even larger crowd was at the Manukau shopping centre last night as the All Blacks made their final pre-cup public appearance on home soil.
Before the players appeared, the crowd began chanting "All Blacks, All Blacks", and a group of Hastings Boys High School students performed a haka to honour their heroes.
Captain Richie McCaw said the whole team were getting excited about the trip to France.
"It's been a long time coming to get to the World Cup," he said.
"I can speak on behalf of the whole 30 here when I say the support of the country has been absolutely awesome.
"We're going to do our absolute best for each and every one of you."
Among the fans, Clinton Mold, 8, was holding a bright green home-made sign which read: "The All Blacks rule the world in rugby".
Rob Yellowlees and his son Benjamin, 11, were at the front of the queue wearing Hurricanes and Blues shirts respectively.
"I wish them luck. I don't want to put pressure on them though, just give them a good send off," said Benjamin.
All Blacks coach Graeme Henry told the crowd the farewell was "absolutely superb".
"We will give our best when we go to France," he pledged.
The All Blacks left with some special cargo - their own piece of New Zealand.
Adidas, principal sponsor of the All Blacks, yesterday presented them with a capsule filled with earth from rugby grounds played on by every All Black in New Zealand.
As well, each squad member received his own capsule of New Zealand earth.
Their first pool match is against Italy in Marseille on September 8.
