If neighbours of a certain Outram Rd house in Hastings were getting upset with noise levels last night they shouldn't have been ... history was being celebrated.
Waimarie and Ngahuia Harris, sisters of Kiwis rugby league second-rower Tohu Harris, had friends and relations around to watch coverage of the Kiwis' 26-12 win against the Kangaroos in the Brisbane-hosted Anzac test.
It was the Kiwis first win in the annual fixture since 1998.
Two televisions were in action, one outside on the porch for the blokes and one inside in the warm for the women and youngsters.
The atmosphere was electric.
"We half expected it. After the Kiwis Four Nations success we were confident.
"Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has done a great job with a team of young players which has a tremendous culture," Waimarie said.
None of the Harris family travelled from Hawke's Bay to Brisbane for the test so didn't get caught up with travel changes in the wake of the postponement from Friday night because of rough weather.
The sisters said there were enough relations in Aussie, including former Magpie Nui Bartlett, who were able to go to the game as well as the pre-game dinner to support Harris.
Ngahuia and Waimarie heaped kudos on Kearney for the manner in which he dealt with the postponement, particularly his ability to relax them following the postponement and then fire them up again.
"I spoke to Tohu by phone in the changing room on Friday night after the decision was made not to play. Tohu said he and the rest of the team were lost and didn't know what to do. On Saturday night I spoke to him again and he said they were all relaxed and looking forward to Sunday ... Kearney had done everything right," Waimarie said.
Their brother played the entire game in his seventh test. His hit-ups were solid and he was a rock on defence. He had stints in the front row, second row and in the backline.
"Tohu has always been an 80-minute player," Waimarie said.
Ngahuia added last night's result should result in a capacity crowd when her brother's Melbourne Storm team take on the Dragons in an NRL clash at Napier's McLean Park on July 25.