Marlborough people turned out in force with flags, homemade banners and posters to officially welcome the Russian Bears at Blenheim airport yesterday.
The Russians were greeted with a spirited haka and waiata by Marlborough school children on the tarmac as the team left their aircraft about 5pm.
Many of the team applauded, smiled and some even recorded their welcome on cellphones and other devices.
Hundreds of children and parents were waiting inside and outside the terminal to get a glimpse of the team arriving as if waiting for rock stars.
Among those waiting were Ben and Jack Holdaway, 8 and 11, who had been at the terminal for 45 minutes before the team arrived.
They had spent about two hours painting a long banner with the white, blue and red Russian flag and the word Russia in cyrillic text.
They even took the opportunity to get a signature from former All Black Frank Bunce who was also waiting at the terminal.
The fanfare grew with applause and shouting as the team touched down and stepped on to Marlborough soil.
The Russian team will be based in Blenheim during their first World Cup campaign using Lansdowne Park as their training ground.
The straight lines of students performing on the tarmac broke quickly afterwards as the children rushed to shake the hands of Marlborough's adopted team.
Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman welcomed the team to "this small, but very special part of the country" and said the region would do its best to help the team during their campaign.
"You have some big games ahead of you and we want to do all we can to prepare you for them.
"The town is ready to adopt you," he said.
Preparation of their training ground had been months in the making and they would not be disappointed, Mr Sowman said.
A spokesman for the Russian team thanked the crowd for their welcome, especially after their long journey to Blenheim.
"It's lovely to have such a grand welcome and to see smiling faces. We've been in the air for many hours, but we're excited to be here."
The team was mobbed by young fans keen for signatures and photos as they walked from the terminal to the team bus.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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