"To see them afterwards was a really humbling moment for me and my family. To be in this team and the heritage of those who've been in it before is something to be proud of.
"The pohiri was really quite emotional and there were definitely feelings there between the Maori All Blacks and the people that were talking."
Comparisons were made between the 28th Maori Battalion and the Maori All Blacks, and how members of both were from different parts of New Zealand.
"It makes it [understandable] that all of us come from [different teams] but we need to make sure we are connected as one."
Tahuriorangi said growing up in Rotorua and attending Boys' High gave him a good grounding.
"Being Rotorua hard has helped me establish myself. At high school I was always that person people looked up to and to come back and see all the rangatahi [youth] from Rotorua Boys' High has made it special for me and to just go out there and shake their hands has make it special for them."
Neither the fact that the Maori All Blacks beat the Lions on their last tour in 2005, nor that the weekend's game is in his home city, adds pressure.
"I take that as a challenge. Preparation leading into this is the key for us. We are treating it is as a test match because there's definitely that rivalry between the Maori and the Lions.
"But I see it more of a challenge than something that is added pressure. It's what we are as professional rugby players. The pressure is what we live for and I definitely see it as a challenge to just go out there and do my thing and whatever happens, happens."
Having previously played under Maori All Blacks coach Colin Cooper at Taranaki has eased Tahuriorangi's transition into the Maori All Black environment.
"It makes it a little bit easier. I know I can go out there and have yarns with him, have korero in te reo and that makes it a bit easier."
Making the Maori All Blacks was a goal Tahuriorangi didn't expect it, and still doesn't see it as the ultimate goal.
"You can't get comfortable with where you are. There's always something you want to keep building on and goals. But it's definitely a proud moment for me and my family.
"I keep harping on how special it is for my family, and the whole of Rotorua, to get this kind of game, this special game and I hope the crowd come out and help us."
Training at Puketawhero Park also brought back memories for the halfback who also played league for Pikiao in his younger days.
"There are some memories at the back of my mind, playing for Pikiao because that's where I'm from."
Tahuriorangi was a member of the Chiefs under 17 squad while at school and also was a member of the 2015 World Under 20 Championship winning New Zealand side. He played for Taranaki's ITM Cup side after leaving school in 2014 and now plays for the Hurricanes.
