Three-day victory tour for returning All Blacks

WELLINGTON: World champions New Zealand were welcomed home by chanting crowds and a string of hakas yesterday as the All Blacks embarked on a three-day journey around the country to celebrate their third Rugby World Cup triumph.

The festivities began at Auckland airport even before the doors of the Air New Zealand jet had opened when a group of groundcrew in highvisibility vests performed a haka, the traditional Maori war dance, on the tarmac.

Captain Richie McCaw had the Webb Ellis Cup clutched in his hands as the players entered the terminal to be greeted by some 4 000 fans, many of whom had been in position for hours, chanting “All Blacks! All Blacks!”.

Another haka performed by Maori in more traditional garb later welcomed the squad to Victoria Park in the centre of the city, where the players signed autographs and took “selfies” with fans.

As the All Blacks took their place on stage, a group of schoolgirls performed another Maori welcome followed by the third haka of the morning from their male counterparts.

“The boys left eight weeks ago on a mission that started perhaps four years ago,” McCaw told the many cheering fans.

“We knew the challenge was going to be a big mountain to climb… but getting home this morning has certainly made all that hard work worthwhile.

“Now we can all smile for the next four years knowing we are world champions.”

Hailed as the greatest side to have played the game, New Zealand were the first team to win the World Cup three times and the first to retain the trophy after their 34-17 victory over neighbours Australia at Twickenham last Saturday.

The festivities will continue with a street parade and reception in Christchurch today, and more celebrations in the capital Wellington tomorrow.

For World Player of the Year Dan Carter, centres Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, as well as veteran hooker Keven Mealamu, the trip will be a valedictory tour as all have played their last match for the country.

McCaw has yet to confirm whether or not he will be retiring after a record 148 Tests for New Zealand. – Reuters PARIS: Andy Murray demolished Croatian teenager Borna Coric 6-1 6-2 in the second round of the Paris Masters yesterday to set up a Davis Cupflavoured clash with Belgium’s David Goffin.

Britain and Belgium meet in the Davis Cup final in Ghent from November 27-29 with world No 3 Murray and Goffin, who eased past Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic, set to clash in the number ones’ singles rubber.

Although the Davis Cup tie will be played on clay, Murray believes he can pick up some tips from today’s match against Goffin.

“I think so. Any time you spend time on court with opponents you can learn about their game,” the Scot said.

“It’s obviously good to play against him. But I will, before the tie, watch matches of him playing on clay to learn and better understand his game on that surface.”

Murray needed less than an hour to dismiss the 18-yearold Coric, converting four of his five break points while never allowing his opponent the chance to steal his serve.

Earlier, 16th-seeded Goffin also needed less than an hour to sweep aside Lajovic 6-2 6-2, converting five of eight break points.

Seventh-seed Rafa Nadal barely broke sweat in a 6-2 6-2 defeat of Czech Lukas Rosol, and next faces either South African 11th seed Kevin Anderson or Austrian Dominik Thiem.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the sixth seed, survived a barrage of aces (17) to beat France’s Jeremy Chardy 7-6(4) 6-7(6) 6-1, securing a third-round meeting with another Frenchman, Richard Gasquet, who looked solid in a 6-2 7-5 victory against Argentinian Leonardo Mayer. – Reuters