KEY POINTS:
Winger Zac Guildford feels New Zealand's triumph in the inaugural world junior rugby championship has helped to restore some pride to the black jersey.
Guildford and his teammates touched down at Auckland airport today, bringing with them the under-20 trophy they claimed after dispatching England 38-3 in the final in Swansea at the weekend.
Asked if the silverware went some way to easing the disappointment of the All Blacks' early exit in last year's World Cup, he said: "I guess it does in some way.
"We've brought some pride into the black jersey again."
Guildford said it was a huge honour to win the tournament and the achievement "shows what a tight unit we are".
A Hurricane, Guildford was one of four members of the squad who played in this year's Super 14 competition, along with Crusaders Nasi Manu, Kade Poki and Sean Maitland.
Poki said England had been one of the more challenging opponents in an event that replaced the under-19 and under-21 championships.
However, the pressure New Zealand exerted after leading 13-3 at halftime had told in the second spell.
Poki said the win had been "a long time coming" and rated the standard of rugby as comparable with the Super 14.
- NZPA
