Christchurch fans hope maiden All Blacks Test at Te Kaha is first of many

Fans Poekaireua (R) and Milika will be cheering for the All Blacks at Christchurch's Te Kaha Stadium on Saturday night.

The wait has been a long one for Christchurch rugby fans.

By Joe Porter of RNZ

After four years without a home Test, hundreds turned out to welcome the All Blacks at a community event on Friday, while Te Kaha Stadium has long since sold out for Saturday night's clash with France.

Thousdands pour into the city ahead of the clash with France.

The scenes reflected a city eager for the return of Test rugby. Test matches have been scarce in Ōtautahi since the 2011 earthquake, and with the All Blacks finally back in the city, many supporters are hoping it won't be another lengthy wait before they return.

Among the crowd at Christchurch's Parakiore Sports Centre were Helen and her sons Toby and Oliver, who joined hundreds of supporters lining up for signatures, photos and a chance to see the players up close.

All Blacks fan Helen and her boys Toby and Oliver are loving having the team in town.

Helen said the family were thrilled to have Test rugby back in the city.

"As a family, we enjoy going out and getting into the game, so to have an All Blacks Test right here on our back door at an awesome stadium, it's incredible," Helen said.

It is the first time the All Blacks will have played at the stadium and Helen is expecting a loud and proud crowd at Te Kaha.

"Hell yes. Canterbury have been waiting a long time, so we'll certainly be getting behind them."

Young fan Austin was at the fan event with his Nan and he's hoping she has two reasons to celebrate tomorrow night.

"It's her birthday when they're playing, so I think the All Blacks are going to win 41 to 30."

Austin (R) and his younger brother were eager to get the signatures of their favourite All Blacks.

Austin's favourite player is Will Jordan, who will start on the wing against France. The Crusaders star said Christchurch has a case of Test match fever.

"There's been a real buzz around the city, particularly in rugby, over the last six weeks and it's awesome to be able to continue that. You feel it from the fans and the general public, how excited they are to have the Test this week," said Jordan.

"I know, for myself, I was on the hook for quite a few tickets to friends and family, so it's awesome to be able to play in front of them. It's a special part of playing in your hometown."

Christchurch has hosted just two All Blacks games in the past decade and Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell said it has been hard for Cantabrians.

He reckons the city should now get a Test every year.

"We've got the stadium now for it," Newell said.

"Fans want to come and watch the games and there's a massive buzz around Christchurch. The city deserves so much and it's really awesome and special to have the first test of the year here in Christchurch."

All Blacks fans line up in Christchurch to get things signed by the players.

There were plenty of excited fans clamouring for Newell's signature but none of the supporters could match the passion of Poekaireua and Milika, who have been waiting almost half a decade for an All Blacks match in Christchurch.

"It's about time. Bring all the Test matches, bring everything here, bring it on. Come and see Te Kaha.

"We are the Pacific aunties. The Crusader aunties. That's why we're wearing our Crusaders ponchos, so the players know we are the hosts and then we will switch into our All Black attire."

Poekaireua and Milika will also be cheering for new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, who has Cook Island heritage, and they are predicting he will get a win in his first Test in charge.

"This is a big one, we're very excited and he's doing us all proud."

Rennie started coaching at the Upper Hutt Rugby Club in 1999 and said he never thought about it becoming his job.

"You get involved in the game because you love it. You know, sometimes things happen and you get an opportunity and I've been lucky.

"I've coached in lots of parts of the world. It's pretty cool I get paid to do something that historically I've done for nothing and would still do for nothing."

Rennie, who coached in Japan before returning to Aotearoa, said this time last year he never would have imagined coaching the All Blacks in their first ever game at Te Kaha.

"You don't plan this sort of thing," Rennie said.

"I've been away nine years and my plan was to go back to Manawatu and spend more time watching my grandkids play sport and spend time with my boys and get under the trees and split a bit of firewood and help Manawatū out a bit. So this is a little different."

It will be a big night for Rennie and the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday, as the hosts seek to kick off a new era with a win.