A small gathering of All Blacks fans waited patiently at Tauranga Airport for their favourite player Sam Cane this morning, but there was one special person missing – his grandma.

Thelma Cane was working at the Waipuna Hospice Shop this morning and couldn't get to the airport in time to see her grandson as he and fellow All Blacks Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr Barlow touched down briefly at around 9.30am.

The All Blacks trio were given a warm welcome at Tauranga Airport this morning: Video & Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Instead, the 23-year-old Bay of Plenty flanker was welcomed by a group of his nana's friends and fellow residents from Oceanside Shores Village, holding an All Blacks flag high and chanting his name.

'She didn't even know he was going to be here when I told her,” says Ocean Shores Village manager Sandy Quigley. 'She was going to try and get down here though.”

None-the-less, the welcoming was still heart-warming for Cane, who showed a big smile at mention of his nana.

'I'm obviously a local boy, so some of those people said they know my nana and some are from not far from where I grew up, so it's quite cool.”

It was a short visit for the trio, who stopped for photos and to sign autographs with fans this morning before hopping in a car to Whakatane as part of the All Blacks to the Nation competition.

The town is one of the 10 winners nationwide given the chance to host the All Blacks before they embark for on their Rugby World Cup 2015 adventure in England and Wales.

Cane feels 'proud and honoured” to have made the 2015 RWC squad. 'I'm pretty excited about what's ahead,” he admits.

'I'm obviously hoping for as much game time as I can get. Any opportunity I can get, I'll just put my best foot forward.”

Cane, Kerr Barlow and Messam will be welcomed at a public event at Mataatua Reserve in Whakatane this morning, following a private visit to Mataatua Marare.

The players will then head to Opotiki's Memorial Park from 1.20pm-2.15pm for another public event.

Tawera, Sam and Liam are on their way to Whakatane #AB2N #TeamAllBlacks @BaySteamers pic.twitter.com/fbHU3cow1u

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 2, 2015