Auckland greets All Blacks ahead of opener

Auckland: The All Blacks arrived to a huge welcome in Auckland yesterday ahead of their World Cup opener against Tonga as coach Graham Henry delivered the good news that injured, dynamic loose forward Kieran Read could feature in the pool stages.

Number eight Read had been expected to be unavailable until the knockout stages of the near two-month long tournament after suffering a high ankle sprain in the loss to Australia in the Tri-Nations decider last week.

"He worked in the pool this morning and is still in the boot. So we are praying," a smiling Henry told reporters after the ceremony.

"We think he will play before the end of the round robin, that's what the doctor is saying and we have our fingers crossed that will happen. It's a pretty aggressive rehab but knowing Kieran, he'll give it his best shot."

Concerns

Asked if their was a chance he may miss the tournament all together, Henry replied: "I don't think that's a possibility. It's how soon [he will play] is the question."

Although it is highly unlikely New Zealand will lose the World Cup opening match against Tonga, the All Blacks do have some concerns about next Friday's fixture at the refurbished Eden Park.

Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson is also expected to miss the Tonga game with an elbow injury leaving Henry with only three fit loose forwards to call upon, but the 65-year-old coach was talking up his options.

"[Lock] Sam [Whitelock] has played there quite a bit and [lock] Anthony Boric has played six, that is where he started his first class rugby," Henry suggested.

Henry's joyful mood can be attributed to the huge welcome he and his side received at Aotea Square and the completion of their first training session in preparation for the September 9 to October 23 tournament.