KEY POINTS:
A pumped-up Ruben Wiki and a roaring mass of home fans lifted the Warriors into the NRL semifinals in a stunning 30-13 victory over the Sydney Roosters last night.
The home team's second-half performance at Mt Smart Stadium blasted the Roosters out of the playoffs and gave the 25,585 fans even more than they had expected.
That crowd, relaxed and enjoying hot chips and doughnuts before kickoff, were delirious by fulltime.
Hoardings were trashed and the grandstand floors shook as the Warriors bashed their way to victory.
The support seemed to lift the team.
On their own tryline, their backs against the south stand and the Roosters spread out on attack in front of them, the Warriors' body language showed their determination.
As the crowd roared at each Warriors' point, the home team seemed to grow taller, clearly aware of the pride felt by their fans.
Most of those fans won't be in Sydney next week, but if the rampant Warriors could bottle last night's Mt Smart atmosphere and open it before their clash with Manly, they could find themselves in the grand final for the second time in the club's history.
"What a night, what a night," said one excited fan, shaking his head as Aidan Kirk's last runaway try was replayed on the big screen.
After the game, the crowd gave their heroes a huge standing ovation, a fitting farewell for Wiki.
One of the team's biggest fans, Prime Minister Helen Clark, raced on to the field after the match to reward Wiki with a big hug.
Her joy was reflected by all the fans, including Warriors co-owner Eric Watson.
One jubilant supporter, Chris Wingham, said: "That's fantastic, absolutely fantastic. And it was the crowd, the crowd got them there. We didn't give up on them."
A season ticket holder, Mr Wingham then headed off to book a trip to Australia.
