Hundreds of Christchurch people welcomed home the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday evening, following their Super Rugby final loss to the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
The estimated 500-strong crowd, wearing red and black, greeted the team at the Christchurch airport with banners and cheering.
The Crusaders were forced to spend their entire season on the road, travelling more than 100,000 kilometres in total, following earthquake damage to their home ground.
The Reds won the final 18 points to 13.
