Heroes’ welcome for shield team

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 1

Heroes’ welcome for shield team

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

“You are not going to believe this, but there are thousands of people out there waiting for you."

This was the message that the captain of the Air NewZealand Boeing which returned the Canterbury rugby team to Christchurch on Saturday evening put over the public address system as the plane taxied towards the terminal.

And thousands there were, at least 6000 by the estimate of airport officials.

The whole departure area was packed tight, and all vantage points inside and outside the terminal were crammed. It was very different when the team left Wellington Airport. The charter which brought the team home was the last flight out of Wellington Airport on Saturday and apart from the supporters who were on the same flight the terminal was deserted. The Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, whose congratulatory telegram was one of the first the side received after the

match, was the first person to greet the team as it left the plane. The supporters who came off the plane formed a guard of honour to the terminal where a pipe band gave a musical touch to the occasion.

The Canterbury players, who had already had a day they will never forget, were clearly moved by the size of the crowd.

“It’s unbelievable; we thought there might be a few to welcome us back, but nothing like this,” said the captain,. Don Hayes.

The Ranfurly Shield, carried by Hayes, drew the loudest applause. There was another mighty cheer when the coach, Alex Wyllie. came into sight but it was probably Wayne Smith, the man who scored the winning try, who got the most pats on the back. There was a long delay before the airport car-park was cleared and some of the players, whose families had parked there, were affected. This led to some of the players being delayed in getting to a function that had been arranged at the Hornby

Trust Hotel. The function, which was for wives and girlfriends as well, had been organised in advance. "We took a bit of a risk on the.night.” said the president of the Canterbury RugbyUnion. Mr B. J. Drake. “Without the shield it might not have been much of a party, but fortunately the result was what we hoped it would be.” The shield was on display at Sportarama. the multisport exhibition at Queen Elizabeth II Park, yesterday. The secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr D. J.

Cunningham, was not sure last evening of its movements this week, but thought it likely that it would be on display in shop windows. The shield has changed in appearance somewhat since it was last in Christchurch in 1973. The New Zealand Rugby Union spent $5OO on restoring the wooden base and this has made the wood a shade darker than before. There are still a few holes in the back, holes which at one time were said to be evidence of borer. Further reports, page 17, back page