Emotions were running high for All Blacks debutant Karl Tu'inukuafe as he lined up for the national anthem on the hallowed turf of Eden Park.
It only took a few strains of "God Defend" before the tears began to stream down the 24-year-old's face.
But it wasn't so much the occasion comes with an international debut which got to the Chiefs prop, but something far more sentimental.
"I was just thinking about my grandparents and wishing they were here to see it," Tu'inukuafe told media. "I know they're looking down on me."
"But I was really happy once that was over, and getting into the haka was a really good feeling too."
Tu'inukuafe's was one of the surprise names read out by Steve Hansen and his cohorts when they announced their squad for the June internationals against France.
The Wesley College-product made his Super Rugby debut just a few short months ago after returning from a stint at French club Narbonne. Back at that very venue on Saturday night, he turned in a powerful performance that would've caught the attention of many.
The sight of a packing scrum was certainly the ideal antidote to ease Tu'inukuafe's nerves when he took the field in just the 46th minute.
"I got on earlier than I thought, but I was just happy to get on the park" he laughed.
He wasted no time in getting into what he does best, and it was back slaps all-round as the French scrum folded after he lead powerful shunt to both win his side a penalty, and immediately stamp his mark.
"To come away with the penalty, I just channelled what the entire five gave me.
"He had a good, heavy hit. But once I felt the pressure I had from behind I knew where to put it."
Tu'inukuafe had a few ideas as to what that step up to test rugby may feel like, which were of course, promptly blown out of the water.
"It was way more than I expected. It was really fast. I thought Super was fast, but this is just a whole other level," he said with a genuine look of shock on his face.
The next challenge lies with convincing himself that he legitimately belongs on world rugby's biggest stage.
"A lot of people believed in me more than I did myself," he admitted.
"Being here and seeing everyone's confidence in me, I'm starting to get more comfortable at this level."
His new head coach agreed wholeheartedly, carrying no doubt that the man who got back into rugby simply as a means to lose weight, deserves to be where he is.
"I think he proved tonight that he's of All Blacks standard. He was worthy of the jersey and he made a pretty big statement first-up," said Steve Hansen.
"No better way to get the respect of your teammates, and the opposition. Well done to him."
And in case you were wondering about the moustache, it's not going anywhere.
"The wife doesn’t have a problem with it, so I'd say it'll probably stay for a bit."
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