All Blacks At Dunedin Airport June 14 2010
All Black Dan Carter's explosive speed and dangerous side-step abandoned him as the All Blacks faced their first real test in the lead-up to their game against Wales: getting through the throngs at Dunedin International Airport.
About 400 people - including the John McGlashan College Pipe Band - were at the airport yesterday afternoon to welcome Carter and the rest of the All Blacks ahead of their match against Wales, in the final international at the soon-to-be-mothballed Carisbrook Stadium.
Children clutching rugby balls and autograph books and parents pointing digital cameras and mobile phones crowded the world's best running first five-eighth as he tried, slowly, to walk the short distance from Gate 4 to the team bus.
Carter was one of more than a dozen All Blacks collared by Green Island Rugby Club member Gareth Weatherston to sign a rugby ball for Brady, his 3-year-old son.
The carefully held ball was an heirloom even before it left the building.
"It's a hell of a heirloom, all right. And it'll be going straight home for safe keeping."
Liam Grant (9), of Milton, stood at the arrival door with sisters Mya (7) and Bree (10) to be one of the first children to get All Black captain Richie McCaw's autograph.
Liam struggled to wipe the smile from his face as he ran his hand over the freshly-signed rugby ball.
"It was really cool getting to see them up close. I've seen them play before but I have never been that close to them. They are much bigger when you meet them."
Cam Weir (9) could not believe his luck when Jimmy Cowan and then Dan Carter stopped to sign his shirt.
Someone suggested he have it framed, but he had other ideas: "No way, I'm going to wear it to rugby training".
McCaw had to be directed away from another photo opportunity as the team's journey to the bus hit the 15-minute mark.
He knew his team was about to make history in his first - and only - appearance at Carisbrook as All Black captain.
"Playing Carisbrook's last test is a big thing, and we'll be thinking abut the sendoff.
But once we get on that field, we will play our best to make it the occasion a test like this should be."
The All Blacks have an open coaching session today from 4pm at Hancock Park with players from secondary school sides in the Highlanders First XV competition.
The public are welcome to watch.
Published Otago Daily Times, Online