The Samoan rugby league side has been greeted with a hero's return at Sydney Airport as they returned home after a historic World Cup run.
The Daily Telegraph reports that fans, family, and friends came decked in a sea of blue and red, waving flags, blaring horns, and cheering as the players returned on Tuesday (November 22) morning.
The players touched down in Sydney after making it all the way to the World Cup final in the United Kingdom.
They may have missed out on the title with a 30-10 loss to the final, but that didn’t prevent any of the Samoan fans from showering their boys with love and praise.
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The players received an immense reception as the players and staff walked off the plane they were gifted handcrafted Samoan leis and embraced by everyone.
If there was any indication that the boys had done their nation proud then this was it.
You could have been forgiven for thinking Sydney Airport had been picked up and placed in Faleolo with just how many Samoans were in attendance.
The players mingled with the fans, taking selfied and being genuinely grateful for their support.
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Samoan and Panthers five-eights Jarome Luai told supporters: “Thanks for your support, we heard you guys all the way in England.”
Prop Martin Taupau added: “It is so good to be home, thank you for the support, we will see you all soon.”
There certainly seemed like an incredible family atmosphere at the airport that was reflected online as well.
One Samoan fan tweeted: “Shout to all the au Hamoa who went to Welcome our boys at Sydney Airport as fellow Sydney person I know the parking fee was worth one week's rent in Sydney. All for Toa Samoa.”
Another said: “Am loving the Fa’aSamoa happening at the Toa Samoa welcoming at SYD airport - Fa’asamoa in action.”
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A third wrote: “Crying watching the Facebook Live of the Toa Samoa coming out of the airport omg.”
The Samoan fans and players truly stole the show at the Rugby League World Cup.
Everyone got behind the team, even Hollywood megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who delivered an epic speech to the Samoan players ahead of the final.
"For my boys, my usos, the Toa Samoa rugby team who are going to the men's final of the Rugby League World Cup," The Rock says in the clip posted to his Instagram.
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"This is a big deal, they are making history in the world of sports. This is the first time that our island, culture and country of Samoa has ever gone to the finals for any sport.
"They are making history and I could not be more proud of them – we could not be more proud of them."
Topics: NRL, Rugby League, Australia
Jayden Collins