The All Blacks were given a heartfelt Samoan welcome after touching down in Apia ahead of Wednesday's test.

From the moment Richie McCaw led his team into Faleolo Airport for the first time to be greeted by hundreds of feverish fans, the All Blacks were given a taste of what they will encounter in Apia this week.

There was not an empty seat for the biggest welcome the All Blacks have ever received from a foreign country.

The car park was full. Locals, some waiting two hours, packed balconies at the terminal and crammed in tight behind barriers to get their first up-close glimpse of the men in black.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES All Blacks Dan Carter, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau and Richie McCaw receive a warm welcome at Faleolo Airport.

"It's a great turnout from the crowd," All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read said as the team were shadowed through a heavy security presence. "I feel a bit sad getting on the bus. It's unbelievable."

Once through the gates the All Blacks, each wearing a traditional lei and specially-made elei (Island printed) shirts, were treated to a passionate collaboration of Samoan and Kiwi hakas. Fitting, too, as so many locals when asked who they are supporting say "both teams".

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1 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Fans gather to welcome the All Blacks at Faleolo Airport in Apia, Samoa. 2 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Dancers welcome them at the airport. 3 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES There was not an empty seat for the biggest welcome the All Blacks have ever received from a foreign country. 4 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Daniel Carter signs autographs at the airport. 5 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES The team were greeted by locals who packed balconies at the terminal and crammed in tight behind barriers to get their first up-close glimpse of the team. 6 of 6 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES The All Blacks were treated to a passionate collaboration of Samoan and Kiwi hakas.

On the road to the airport, elderly women waited patiently throughout the day, hoping the All Blacks would stop by.

"It was always a dream when I first made the All Blacks, " American Samoan-born flanker Jerome Kaino said.

"I always thought I'd love to come back here and perform but this is just a dream come true.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES All Blacks No 10 Dan Carter is given some traditional head gear to wear by a Samoan warrior in Apia.

"It's going to be loud. Not just the game but tomorrow and leading into the game.

"I'm feeling the heat already and it's 10pm at night. It's great to be here the boys are soaking it up."

Straight off the plane the visitors were hit by the heat and humidity far removed from New Zealand's winter climate. Coach Steve Hansen admitted coping with the sweltering temperatures would be a challenge with a mid-afternoon kickoff on Wednesday.

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"Obviously we're worried about the heat," he said.

"Thirty-three degrees is not ideal for playing rugby with black jerseys but that's what it is and we've prepared for it so we're looking forward to it.

"We're going to have to play really well because it's going to be an emotional occasion. If we allow them to score too many points the crowd will go nuts.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is expecting an emotional ocassion when his team take on Samoa in Apia.

"It's nice to be here. It means a lot to these people, their country and us. We've got a lot of Samoan boys in the team."

Veteran hooker Keven Mealamu, another with strong Samoan heritage, expected the locals to feed off the passion of their people.

"Something that is pretty explosive I think but we're looking forward to it," he said of the historic test.

The groundswell of expectation will only build on Tuesday with a parade through the town centre just one event sure to be attended by similar keen supporters.