Kieran Read has been given a key to Nelson at the All Blacks' captain run this afternoon and admits he and the team have felt truly welcomed ahead of their first Test at Trafalgar Park.
The All Blacks have been preparing all week in the South Island for tomorrow night's Rugby Championship clash with Argentina which will be the first time Nelson have hosted them.
Trafalgar Park was used in the 2011 Rugby World Cup to host international matches but the All Blacks themselves have never played there.
As a result, the city has welcomed the team with open arms throughout the week and mayor Rachel Reese capped off festivities with a key to Nelson this afternoon.
Read said it was a special moment.
"It's been an awesome week, the community has gotten right behind us.
"The way we repay that is hopefully with a good performance tomorrow night."
The All Blacks captain said the community has left an impression on them and he wouldn't mind more Tests there in the future.
"Maybe an afternoon game. How good's [the weather]?"
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