England's World Cup squad flew into Auckland on Wednesday jet-lagged and weary after their flight south to be welcomed by a hard core of 100 fans and the news that, for once, they will not be the side most reviled by the home support.
In the past All Blacks – and Australians for that matter – have been quick to complain that England players are aloof, arrogant and patronising, but the arrival of Martin Johnson and his 29-strong squad – Simon Shaw will arrive later – coincided with a poll in the New Zealand Herald ranking Australia the runaway leader when readers were asked to name the country they least wanted to win the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Admittedly it was not the most exhaustive of surveys – 750 is hardly a large sample – but 33.8% said they could not stand Australia taking the title for the third time, while the next least popular side was South Africa, the holders who have also won twice to the single All Black title in the first World Cup, back in 1987.
Perhaps the vote had something to do with the perceived threat from the two sides – both the Wallabies and Springboks have beaten the All Blacks in their past two matches – but England, the former colonial power, polled a puny 9.1% and, if first impressions are anything to go by, they have power to drive that still lower.
Despite the 4.30am arrival, the England party lingered long enough to sign any autograph book proffered by young supporters and Johnson repeated his promise that England would take time out from their preparations to visit Christchurch, the city which was to have been their base before the earthquake in February which left 181 dead and England's pool matches switched further south to Dunedin.
"The whole England squad was shocked by what took place in February and we wanted to show our support for the people of Christchurch," Johnson said. "We know how keen they were to play a role in the Rugby World Cup and we were looking forward to being based there.
"I'm delighted that we'll be able to visit and pay our respects shortly before the tournament gets under way next month," said the England manager – sentiments welcomed by the chief executive of Rugby New Zealand, Martin Snedden, who also thanked Australia for promising to visit.
England's first game is against Argentina in Dunedin on 10 September, but they intend staying in Auckland until the weekend and a cheery Johnson did no harm to his own personal rankings calling out to the fans: "Just what we need to wake us up after a long flight. We're here to Sunday, we might be seeing you around."
