Grandma organises welcome committee for All Blacks

An All Black meet and greet at Tauranga Airport yesterday involved Tawera Kerr-Barlow, left, Spencer Price, Sam Cane, Miila Price, Lily Roper, Pipi Roper and Liam Messam. Photo / George Novak

Sam Cane and two of his fellow All Blacks touched down in Tauranga yesterday morning, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd organised by Cane's number one fan - his grandmother.

Thelma Cane, a resident of Ocean Shores Village, organised a group of a dozen residents to greet her grandson as well as Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr-Barlow when they arrived at Tauranga Airport yesterday for a whistle-stop visit on their way to public events in Whakatane and Opotiki as part of a nationwide tour by the All Blacks to drum up support ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

But one person was notably absent. Mrs Cane did not want to give up her voluntary work at the Waipuna Hospice shop so, in spite of organising the welcoming party, she was not able to be there to greet her grandson.

Ocean Shores Village general manager Sandy Quigley said they were all big supporters of the All Blacks.

"Sam is our favourite. We own him," she said, laughing.

Cane was delighted to see so many friendly faces waiting to greet them.

"I am obviously a local, so some of the people there know my nana and some are from where I grew up (Ruatoria), so that is quite cool," he said.

"I am proud and honoured and excited about what is ahead. It is always exciting to represent Bay of Plenty when playing as an All Black because that's where I'm from."

Cane's last game before the Rugby World Cup was for Bay of Plenty against Southland at ASB Baypark last week.

"I really enjoy getting back and playing with those guys, anytime I can pull on the Bay jersey. What they have got going on there is a lot of fun to be a part of."

The band of silver-haired supporters at the airport were joined by a handful of eager school children.

Spencer Price, 11, Miila Price, 13, Lily Roper, 13, and Pipi Roper, 9, were part of the younger contingent thrilled to get up close and personal with their heroes and were not too shy to ask for a photo.

Members of the team visited towns around New Zealand yesterday.

Whakatane was selected as one of 10 lucky towns from around New Zealand to host the All Blacks ahead of the team's departure for Rugby World Cup 2015.

Competition winners Team Whakatane formally welcomed them at a public event at Mataatua Reserve before a private visit to Mataatua Marae. The players then headed to Opotiki's Memorial Park for another public event.

The All Blacks open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina at Wembley Stadium on September 21.

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