KEY POINTS:
A last autograph signing opportunity at a Manukau shopping centre saw over 3000 turn out to wish the All Blacks all the best before they fly to France.
On-hand were Hastings Boys and Rotorua High schools, in Auckland for the under-15 Secondary School Rugby tournament.
Both schools broke
into spontaneous haka to the cheers of All Black fans and the All Blacks themselves.
Half back Byron Kelleher was impressed by the haka and said it was part of what made tonight special.
"It's a traditional way for Maori to say goodbye. That's our youth, they'll fill the shoes that we are in at the moment," Kelleher said.
He said it was the thousands of fans, some of whom had drawn homemade cards wishing the team luck, that gave the night a special flavour.
"When you go out on to the field it's the feeling of the people back here and times like this that you take with you," Kelleher said.
He said all the attention was not creating extra pressure.
"When you hear people say: You better win, you better win the World Cup - rather than do the best you can, they want you to dream big," Kelleher said.
Coach and former headmaster Graham Henry said he knows both secondary school principals and said there was a lot of passion in the haka.
Henry said it was great to see all the people coming out.
"The people are very supportive, very friendly. They're wishing us well," Henry said.
Hooker Andrew Hoar said the whole country just wants the team to get over there and do well.
Alongside Hoar was Daniel Carter who was kissed on more than one occasion.
The All Blacks sat at tables chatting with fans and signing everything from rugby balls and DVDs to collectors cards.
Shirts were signed, never to be washed again, and the latest All Blacks posters were covered in black permanent marker.
Christine Hopkins was with her grandchildren Natalie Hopkins and James Flack. Christine said there might be a few late nights when the All Blacks play and the kids might be late to school on a couple of days.
Toakase Kailea bought Charlie and Sepeti along who are both expecting a call-up from Graham Henry some time soon.
"It was cool, they signed my shirt," said Charlie.
Hastings Boys High School coach Thomas Heremaia said the haka - called Kowai Ra - was a special gift from the team.
"It sees them on their way and gives them our ancestors to go with them and bring back the trophy," Heremaia said.