Rugby World Cup 2015: Footy fans by the planeload

The chartered Air New Zealand flights will be hosted by former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry and 2011 World Cup saviour Stephen Donald. Photos / iStock, Nick Reed

Keen punters depart on package tours to UK to witness rugby history (hopefully)

It will be a trip to remember, win or lose. But for the 200-plus All Black fans who left Auckland Airport last night bound for London, three more wins by the men in black will make it that much sweeter.

The chartered Air New Zealand flight, hosted by former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry, will have everything from classic Kiwi sing-alongs with Dave Dobbyn to a rugby Q&A with former All Black Frank Bunce, as well as a few epic Rugby World Cup stories shared by Sir Ted himself.

The group, which will grow to more than 300 once in Britain, will attend both quarter-finals in Cardiff, the two semifinals, the bronze final and the final.

The fans will soak up all the World Cup has to offer, while travelling alongside a few New Zealand rugby icons who have been there before.

Another planeload from All Blacks Tours, this one led by 2011 World Cup saviour Stephen Donald, will fly over next week to join them.

Former All Black Eric Rush, Kiwi reggae band Herbs and the Alternative Commentary Collective team will be on board.

That group - about 350 strong - will go to both semis, the bronze final and the final. Donald said he couldn't wait. "It's going to be epic. Practising my commentary skills at 40,000ft, singing along with Herbs and sharing some yarns with fans will be a great way to start the trip of a lifetime."

Meanwhile, Henry has his own reasons for looking forward to the trip. "One of the many highlights that will stay with me from 2011 is looking around and seeing the absolute joy on the faces of those in the stands, people hugging, high-fiving, and even a few tears," he said.

"At that stage I said to myself that next time around I would be one of those people cheering on the team, and that's a major reason Raewyn and I are travelling to the UK."

About 4500 people will take part in All Blacks Tours this Rugby World Cup, with 45,000 hotel room nights booked in 45 hotels across Europe.

Entry level prices for "Ted's Tour" ranged from $14,000 to $15,000 and include everything from flights, accommodation and side-trips, to tickets, transport and functions.

The price was significantly more, however, for those who chose to fly business class and sit in category A seats.

For All Black and Crusaders fan Rongo King, it is all worth it.

"It's sort of been a long time in the making, but it's here now. So it's brilliant," she said.

Mrs King is heading over with her husband, Dave. The Rangiora couple have also been on the All Black tour to Samoa this year and the end-of-year European tour two years ago.

"It's not only for the rugby we go away, but we get to see a lot of different countries. You get well looked after."

But this trip would be unique, she said. "The tour package we took, we took the risk of whether they [the All Blacks] make it or not. But they're going to, of course."