A sell-out Christchurch crowd watched New Zealand beat the Cook Islands 82-16 in an electric, pride-filled Rugby League World Cup match.
The game marked Tanner Stowers-Smith's Kiwis debut in his home city, where he said the week had been memorable for the team.
"I'm a proud, very proud Canterbury boy and we'll rep that forever," Stowers-Smith told us.
"It's been an amazing week," he said.
The 22-year-old welcomed the Canterbury fans' reception and said he looked forward to future matches in Christchurch.
He said representing the city also meant honouring his family, friends and other local people who had helped him reach this point.
Homegrown players Stowers-Smith and Jamayne Isaako represented Canterbury in New Zealand's dominant performance.