Politics and rugby mix at a grand All Blacks announcement

Labour leader Andrew Little, Prime Minister John Key and Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman with the All Blacks. Photo / Mark Mitchell

As the officials came and went from the microphone there was plenty of talk about how Parliament was the perfect venue for a Rugby World Cup squad announcement.

The analogy was between the House of Representatives and a team of 31 men representing a nation - a stadium of four million as it was called last time around.

Perhaps also representative of the nation's thoughts on the selections was the reaction of the 250 guests as the names were read in alphabetical order.

The jump from Wyatt Crockett to Charlie Faumuina was greeted with a gasp as it confirmed Israel Dagg was out.

There was a murmur of approval at the inclusion of Nehe Milner-Skudder but surprisingly nothing when Waisake Naholo's name was read.

Wellington high school 1st XV captains were all invited to the announcement, and after the official photos, the teens mingled with their favourite players - and politicians.

Prime Minister John Key was a popular pick among those snapping photographic memories of the evening, and between camera calls he was getting the All Blacks to sign a training top.

"I'll just get Dan to sign this," he told one of his minders as he made a beeline to first-five Dan Carter.

"It's for charity."

The Prime Minister seemed at ease in the players' company: "Gidday Sam, how's it going?"

A smattering of other MPs were there including Labour leader Andrew Little and the ever diplomatic man from Dipton, Bill English.

Standing near a table chock full of non-alcoholic drinks, before the announcement, the Finance Minister was reluctant to name his picks: "I'd just be guessing".

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee was spot on with his prediction of the "disappointing" of Dagg, who turns out for the Crusaders.

"There'll never be enough Crusaders in it," Mr Brownlee said.

Sports and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman praised the selectors for picking a balanced squad.

"It's really great Nehe Milner-Skudder's there. He's going to bring that X-factor."

Milner-Skudder was a popular target for school rugby players wanting a chat, including Wairarapa College 1st XV captain Cameron Ravenwood and coach Chris Senior.

Like Cameron, Milner-Skudder is from a smaller school not many All Blacks come from - Queen Elizabeth College in Palmerston North - and he encouraged Cameron, 17, to keep pushing on with his rugby.

All the talk of the nations's expectations reminded the players about the weight they were carrying on their broad shoulders, although Carter rated it "pretty similar" to four years ago.

"It's pretty exciting times. There's always so much pressure and expectation when you're playing for the All Blacks...That's the amount of pressure that we love and work towards."

Carter also had some good advice to Heretaunga College 1st XV captain Brandon Mudzekenyedzi.

"We talked about aspiration and overcoming difficulties - injuries and non-selection," Brandon said.

"He just said, 'keep going'."

There's what this stadium of four million people wants to hear.

- NZME