It may have been an event for the kids, but there were also plenty of excited parents as hundreds flocked to the Wall Street mall in Dunedin yesterday evening to meet the All Blacks.
Ryan Facer's favourite All Black was Richie McCaw, and he had already greeted the team when they arrived at Dunedin International Airport, something his father Dave admitted was at least in part Ryan's parents' idea.
"We're just as excited," he said.
The mall was packed with more than 300 people, with some having already ended their wait in a long queue to meet 16 players, and more steadily arriving.
Otago Rugby Football Union marketing manager Chris Green said he was pleased with the turnout.
"The kids just kept coming and coming."
On numbers, he said: "Our official estimate is heaps."
Mr Green said five members of the team would be at Champions of the World store, in George St, tomorrow, at 3.30pm.
