Returning Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson was mobbed like a rock star as thousands of league supporters descended on central Auckland yesterday to party with their sporting heroes.

Mike Hesson plans to "rely on a number of different players" amid injury woes.

Richie McCaw stood as an All Black for the final time at the NZ Rugby Awards.

Former Australian league and rugby international Wendell Sailor remembers All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.

The five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have revealed their new strips for the 2016 season today. The Blues have introduced light blue to their traditional navy jersey, along with light blue shorts. The Hurricanes' new strip is predominantly black with yellow above the chest. The Crusaders' jersey has black above the chest, with the rest of the strip red.

Friends and family from around the world joined a ten thousand-strong crowd to farewell the All Black legend at Eden Park after his death in 2015. Video / NZ Herald

Former All Black Ofisa Tonu'u speaks about Jonah Lomu's memorial at Eden Park. Supplied: David Skipwith

New Zealand will today say farewell to All Black legend Jonah Lomu at a special public memorial service at Eden Park. Source: Prime

Jonah Lomu Eden Park memorial service. Source: Prime

Veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn talks about Jonah Lomu. Source: ODT

Former All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu has arrived at Toulon and immediately set his sights on winning more silverware with the star-studded French side.

The grieving widow of Jonah Lomu has taken down the Givealittle page set up after the rugby legend's death. At a press conference outside Lomu's Auckland house Former All Blacks coach John Hart addressed the issue of the fundraising page and said that its intention may have been missed at a difficult time.

The heartbroken family of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu are "struggling big time", as messages from around the world continue to flow - including one from the Queen. Former All Blacks coach John Hart revealed the Queen had written to Prime Minister John Key asking him to pass on to Lomu's family how much she mourns their loss as he spoke to media on behalf of the family outside Lomu's home in Epsom this morning.

Richie McCaw has today confirmed he is hanging up his boots and retiring from professional rugby. The 34-year-old All Blacks captain and most capped All Black of all time has drawn the curtain on his stunning international career which started in Dublin 14 years ago, almost to the day, and ended in London last month when he hoisted the Webb Ellis Cup aloft for the second time.

Two days before the 2015 Rugby World Cup began Jonah Lomu led a flash mob haka in London's Covent Garden for tournament sponsor Mastercard.

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga shares his thoughts on the sad news of the passing of his former team mate and friend Jonah Lomu.

New Zealand rugby CEO Steve Tew remembers Jonah Lomu as a great All Black and the games first global superstar.

The All Blacks arrive in Christchurch ahead of their World Cup winning celebrations.

The Kiwis and Roosters winger talks to Michael Burgess about meeting the Queen – and her Corgis, doing the haka inside Buckingham Palace and his team initiation back in 2008, including his own unique version of Scribe’s hit “Not Many”.

The Kiwis and Manly player talks to Michael Burgess about life on tour, seeing London for the first time and the dreaded team tradition where new players have to sing a song.

Huge roars of excitement and applause rang through Auckland Airport this morning as the winning All Blacks walked into the arrivals lounge to thousands of adoring fans. The terminal was packed as fans jostled to see the rugby world champions.

Tony Veitch reflects on the All Blacks' win on The Vent.

The 34-year-old said there was a quiet satisfaction in a job well done, rather than "jumping around and going completely nuts", because the team expected to win the tournament if they performed to their potential. Asked whether he would throw away his running shoes or relax his diet, McCaw said he had not thought much about how he would reward himself.

A day after the deeds of the afternoon, and the night, before, Steve Hansen's voice was a little croaky but his mind clear. Asked if he wanted to extend his contract as All Blacks head coach from 2017 to go through to the next World Cup in Japan in 2019, he said: "I'd probably say it was more likely I won't be there after 2017".

All Black Sonny Bill Williams has given his Rugby World Cup winner medal to a young boy who was "smoked" in a tackle from a security guard. His fellow All Blacks couldn't be more generous in their praise for SBW.

The Rugby World Cup has been won and the first night of celebrating is over, the All Blacks thoughts are now turning towards home and seeing family and friends and of course the New Zealand fans.

All Black Sonny Bill Williams has given his Rugby World Cup winner medal to a young boy who was "smoked" in a tackle from a security guard after running on the field following the side's 34-17 win over Australia. Williams said the boy, reportedly named Charlie Lines, was seven or eight and he felt sorry for him.

The All Blacks have won the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. Hear fromm the players that made history and how it happened.

The All Blacks have won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, peak inside the celebrations and party with a very proud captain Richie McCaw.