Team NZ heroes to cheer on the All Blacks

Team New Zealand's America's Cup heroes will be honoured during tonight's series deciding rugby test at Eden Park.

Up to 30 members of the victorious America's Cup-winning team will be present at Eden Park to cheer on the All Blacks as they do battle with the British & Irish Lions.

The series is locked at 1-1 after the Lions' gutsy and dramatic win at Westpac Stadium last Saturday night.

About six of the crew who tasted victory over Oracle Team USA in the America's Cup final will be formally congratulated at halftime in tonight's big rugby test; which kicks off at 7.35pm.

But the America's Cup itself - the oldest international sporting trophy in the world - will not be joining them at Eden Park.

Team New Zealand's sailors and on-shore crew were welcomed back to New Zealand on Thursday with a ticker-tape parade; which saw tens of thousands of fans line central city streets and the Viaduct Basin to put on a heoes' welcome.

The team will travel around the country next week for more parades in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Team boss Grant Dalton has also stated that the team will travel to heartland areas of the country over the coming months, along with the America's Cup, to say thanks to other fans for their staunch support during the Cup campaign.

Meanwhile, the Team New Zealand members, and other fans, have been told to cover up tonight.

Rain is forecast around Auckland - including in Mt Eden - tonight.

Tonight's game will be All Black captain Kieran Read's 100th test for the men in black.