Rugby World Cup
All Blacks relishing Kiwi Rugby World Cup support in London
September 14, 2015
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Professional rugby players rarely admit to wanting to get onto the training pitch, but the All Blacks have reached that point after two days of smiles and charm offensive at the Rugby World Cup in London.

Less than a week out from their opening game against Argentina at Wembley on Sunday, the defending champions will take to the training pitch in Teddington, south-west London. And Liam Messam says it is important the players keep themselves in check.

"The game's not till Sunday so you don't want to bring all the excitement and energy to Monday's training," Messam said. "You still want it to be what an All Black training should be but we have to hold the reins a bit and unleash come Sunday."

Messam was involved in the All Blacks' last promotional event, a coaching session for young players at The Stoop, the home ground of Aviva Premiership club Harlequins, and he said the players had enjoyed the support of New Zealanders in London.

"To see all the New Zealanders in their All Blacks jerseys has been unreal," Messam said. "I think the Lord Mayor [at the opening ceremony] said there were 60,000 New Zealanders in the UK. And we have probably met a couple of thousand of them already. It's been good - especially away from home - to see all the support. You always hear a 'kia ora' from the expats which is nice."

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