NZ rugby boss Steve Tew: All Blacks win 'pretty special' to watch

Proud rugby boss Steve Tew touched down in Auckland this morning. Photo / Getty Images

Proud rugby boss Steve Tew touched down in Auckland this morning happy to come home from an historic All Blacks win he described as "pretty special" to watch.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive walked off flight NZ1 from London in good form this morning, saying not only did the All Blacks make history - they did it in style.

"It's obviously very pleasing to come home knowing we've got a bunch of men on a plane who've done something no one else has ever achieved before, and I think they did it in great style," he said at Auckland Airport's arrivals lounge.

"The feedback we got from people over the two months we were away was incredibly positive, not just about the rugby but the way they carried themselves, the interaction they had with the community, the work they did for our commercial partners - everything was really well executed.

"So to be at Twickenham on Saturday and see that piece of history was pretty special, no question about that."

Tew said the boys in black were emotional after the win - becoming the first nation to win back-to-back world cups, and to take the trophy home for the third time.

"There was a lot of emotion in the shed, and clearly there are a big bunch of players who are leaving us now who have contributed so much to that jersey, so that would have brugeen a bitter sweet kind of moment I'm sure.

"But they'll have had 24 hours to reflect before they get on the plane and I guess as I have, over the last 20 or so hours on a plane you get a chance to think of exactly what's been achieved."

New Zealand rugby had "a lot to celebrate" this year, Tew said and not just the Rugby World Cup win.

"We've got a bunch of players, including our women's sevens and our Black Ferns who've had an exceedingly good year, so we've got a lot to celebrate when we get together for our own awards later in the year, and I guess we'll all go away and have a summer break and reflect with some satisfaction."

Tew couldn't shed any light on whether star skipper Richie McCaw would hang up his shirt after the celebrations are over.

McCaw is expected to hang up his number seven jersey, but his post match speech at Twickenham hinted that his love for the game isn't over yet.

"I think he's still keeping his cards very close to his chest, so we'll let him make those decisions and announce them when he's ready," Tew said.