All Blacks:Crockett's long wait coming to an end

Wyatt Crockett has been heartened by the support the All Blacks received around the country. Photo / Getty

The four years since the All Blacks 2011 World Cup victory has gone quickly, but prop Wyatt Crocket says the last couple of weeks have dragged since the 31-man squad was announced for the upcoming tournament in the UK.

After missing selection for the last World Cup, the 41-test front-rower has spent recent years dreaming of a chance to play a part in the defence of the Webb Ellis trophy.

Now that the event is almost within touching distance, Crockett says it can't arrive soon enough.

"It's hugely exciting. Over the last four years, in the back of my mind I've had this World Cup as a real carrot and I'm certainly really excited to get over there," said Crockett.

"We're all looking forward to it. The last few weeks have gone quite slowly, just knowing what's around the corner, and you just want to get over there now and get amongst it."

The last two weeks had seen the players in camp in Wellington and travelling around the country visiting communities far and wide, ahead of a final team summit in Auckland, before today's departure for London.

Crockett said the side has worked hard to maintain their focus, while the recent public relations exercises, such as yesterday's final open training run, had been effective in reminding players about their responsibilities.

"You've just got to keep working hard at training," he said. "The boys have been good, we've still got a lot of stuff to work on.

"The last few weeks, just going around the country and seeing the people in the streets, it's been amazing how much support we've got.

"Everyone's really in behind us and as a New Zealander that's pretty exciting. Having seen this year, with the Cricket World Cup and how the country got right behind the team.

"Definitely as a team we're feeling that support so it's pretty exciting."