Photos and text from RNZ Pacific team
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Toa Samoa supporters gathered in cities around the world to watch the Rugby League World Cup against Australia.
And most stayed to celebrate the team's momentous run to the final and show their pride for the team and the nation.
Toa Samoa scored two tries in the Rugby League World Cup final in Manchester, but were unable to stop a dominant Australian side from winning the title yet again.
In Ōtara Town Centre in South Auckland hundreds of people gathered waving Samoan flags.
Community leader Jerome Mika said despite the result, Samoa had still won.
"I'm feeling so proud of the boys, it's just awesome to see our nation reach the final of the World Cup. They've just put us on the map and I'm really, really proud of them. There's a lot of pride in the Samoan community here.
"We've won the hearts and minds of our people."
Mika said Samoa's success would inspire a future generation of rugby league players.
In Samoa, a large group also spent the morning in Apia Park with events starting around midnight. Many stayed on until the final whistle.
The Samoa Observer reports the the team was thanked the "usual way" with cars driving along Apia and flying the national flag.
Samoa fans following the World Cup final, in Otara, Auckland Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Toa Samoa supporters in Porirua, north of Wellington Photo: RNZ / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor
Toa Samoa supporters in Ōtara, early Sunday Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Ōtara Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Toa Samoa supporters in Ōtara Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi