All Blacks captain Richie McCaw told Prime Minister John Key he hoped the Wallabies would be in the Rugby World Cup final because his team would “take them apart”.

Mr Key was at the semi-final and the final in London, and in parliament in Wellington on Tuesday he called on MPs to congratulate the team for their triumph.

“After the semi-final I had a chat with Richie McCaw, and asked him who he thought would be in the final,” Mr Key said.

“He said ‘I don’t know, but I hope it’s Australia because we’re going to take them apart’.”

Mr Key said by beating Australia 34-17 the All Blacks not only made history but proved what a great side they are.

“And it’s not just what they do on the field, they’ve been great ambassadors for New Zealand,” he said.

“They’ll be rightfully adored by the public when they get off the plane, they’ve made every single one of us feel proud.”

MPs clapped and cheered as they approved the motion congratulating the All Blacks.

Party politics were briefly forgotten, and Mr Key said while he was in London for the final he had a beer with Labour leader Andrew Little, who also watched the All Blacks beat Australia.