Not even the loss of the television picture for nearly 10 minutes could lower the high spirits of 300 rugby supporters who packed the Otahuhu Rugby Football Club rooms dressed in their Manu Samoa or All Blacks team colours.
They waved Samoan flags and danced and sang away their disappointmentwhen the screen went dead 72 minutes in to the Sky Sport test match coverage - just when the feeling was strong that Manu Samoa was back in the game after a try and every touch of the ball or tackle brought the crowd leaping to their feet.
When the picture returned to a big screen draped in red, blue and black balloons, the odds had swung back in the All Blacks' favour with the score 25-16 and play time nearly up.
However, judging by their comments, the final score seemed of little importance to those at the club, which has produced 13 All Blacks, including Keven Mealamu.
"We are nearly flying with happiness," said club supporter Tautua Autagavaia.
Her friend Loretta Ai'i described the game as extravagant.
"A very proud moment for us in Samoa as well as New Zealanders who could not be home for the game."
She had been at the clubrooms since early in the morning.
"It's been a big day - my 3-year-old daughter Jordana fell asleep as soon as the game started."
Club chairman Aiolupotea John Roache said he had been an All Black supporter since he was a boy.
"I have no problem cheering both on. I simply love watching it and seeing everyone come here too.
"People expected a lot of Manu Samoa and they improved a lot for what, I think, was an honourable score."
The end of the game was celebrated the way it had begun, with a noisy, proud and happy Otahuhu main street procession of cars and vans, with Samoan flags over the bonnet or fluttering from every window - and a few All Blacks flags too.
Five great moments
The hakas
It's always a special sight when the All Blacks' haka is returned by the opposition, but the scene was even further enhanced by an enthralled crowd at Apia Park.
Tuilagi's hit on Moala
Anyone expecting bruising defence was not disappointed, with the match barely 10 minutes old when Samoan wing Alesana Tuilagi picked up George Moala and drove him 5m back.
The only moment of magic from the All Blacks arrived early in the second half, when Moala collected Dan Carter's clever crossfield kick and shrugged off a couple of tacklers to score.
Samoa try
The true highlight of the match, with the shockwaves created from Alafoti Fa'osiliva's thundering run matched only by the rapturous reaction from the home fans.
Fulltime
An occasion to remember for all involved came to a close as the Pacific brothers-in-arms embraced and, hopefully, set a repeat date in the near future.
