Waikato fans get chance to farewell their local heroes

Stephen Donald is heading off to Bath in England and Richard Kahui has a well-earned recovery planned before the Super 15 starts in January. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Waikato's Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks will make one last appearance today before two of them jet off overseas and the other takes a well-deserved break.

Fans will get a chance to see Richard Kahui, Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald at a special civic event in Hamilton's Garden Place today.

It is a victory of sorts for the city, which had been trying to get a part of the parade action that saw people pack the streets in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

It also could be the last time Waikato gets to see two of its favourite sons, who are about to head overseas.

Donald, who was the All Blacks' fourth-choice first five-eighths after a nightmare performance in Hong Kong last year, is now the man of the moment after kicking the penalty goal that helped win the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 1987.

He is about to take up a two-year contract with English club Bath, but is likely to have a few celebratory beers with his mates at the Waiuku Rugby and Districts Club later tonight.

Test centurion Mils Muliaina will head to Japan to play club rugby.

Meanwhile, Kahui will get a couple of months' rest and recovery and is among All Blacks who are stood down from training for next year's Super 15 competition until January next year.

The trio will take a few questions from a Waikato rugby stalwart, former All Black and broadcaster Matthew Cooper, on the Garden Place stage during the event.

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker and Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Graham Bowen will publicly thank the All Blacks and acknowledge the significance of their cup-winning efforts before giving them special gifts.

"We are absolutely thrilled the guys are giving up precious family time and commitments so they can be welcomed back to the city as world champions," said Ms Hardaker.

Mr Bowen said the union was "incredibly proud" of its Waikato All Blacks and happy their achievements could be celebrated in the city.

The three players will travel to the Garden Place ceremony in an All Black-branded bus.

CIVIC PRIDE

Who: All Blacks Richard Kahui, Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald.

Where: Garden Place, Hamilton.

When: 12.30pm.