Black Cap fans leave Auckland International Airport bound for CWC Final in Melbourne today. Pictured is Jason Read and father in law John Rothery. Photo / Herald on Sunday
The exodus has begun.
Black caps fans jetted out of Auckland Airport this afternoon to cheer on their heroes at the MCG in tomorrow's Cricket World Cup final.
Many were decked out in Black Caps hats as they boarded flights for Melbourne.
All were confident skipper Brendon McCullum and the team will triumph against the Aussies.
Dairy farmer Jason Read and his father in law John Rothery, from Otorohanga, fixed up the trip on Wednesday.
"My wife Tracey got the match tickets through a friend in Melbourne as a surprise but I feel a bit guilty leaving her at home to milk the cows," Read joked.
Real estate agent Rothery was delighted to be joining the 100,000 strong crowd at the MCG.
"I have never been in a crowd that size before and the atmosphere will be fantastic," he said. "The Kiwis are going to win."
Husband and wife Ken and Elly Harrison traveled to Melbourne from their home in Dunedin.
The cricket nuts had been at the quarter and semifinals.
They bought their tickets for the MCG in January, not expecting the Black Caps to be there.
"It is a great bonus the lads have made it all the way and we have as good a chance as the Aussies of winning it," Ken said.
"It is thrilling to now be going to be there at an historic moment in New Zealand cricket history.
"I hope we are both nursing sore heads on Monday morning after the victory celebrations."
Motorists are advised to take care around the area.