New Zealand Warriors fans at the NRL Nines at Eden Park. Photo / Greg Bowker
The Warriors might not have taken out the final - losing 4-22 to the Parramatta Eels - but fans still had a great time at the NRL Nines.
Police said fans mostly behaved themselves throughout the weekend.
Police Inspector Vaughn Graham said he was pleased with the crowd throughout the event.
"It was a carnival atmosphere and the bulk of the crowd enjoyed themselves in a responsible manner," he said.
One fan who had been to both days said the final was a good game but unfortunately the Warriors were outplayed.
"The better team won on the day - it's a bit of a cliche, but that's what happened."
For Hayden Stowell from Whakatane the big hit of the weekend was nailing the the perfect costume - something that was comfortable, impressive, sun-smart and suitable for the heat.
And this year that meant a skin-tight Legend of Zorro suit, complete with cape, mask and hat to shield the sun.
Mr Stowell said the responses to the matching costumes he and friend James Sigley wore were "very positive".
"We trained all winter and our diet was pretty strict," he joked, pointing to his fake abs.
With temperatures in central Auckland soaring to 27C and with humidity at more than 60 per cent some league fans worked out one way to handle the heat - beer.
Three friends from the South Island snapped up some $50 camouflage suits online and when the Herald asked how they were keeping cool, all three lifted four beers each.
As they did, someone walking past joked: "Look, floating beers!"
The Herald saw two people, dressed as old men, kicked out after they knocked a drink out of another mate's hands.
They seemed to know their day at the Nines was over as the warden escorted them out - they walked calmly and even stopped for a photo.
After stopping for a cigarette just outside one of the gates, the one in a pink wig and slippers shouted: "To the Kingslander!"
But their day wasn't over.
After stopping for a cigarette just outside one of the gates, the one in a pink wig and slippers shouted: "To the Kingslander!"
Meanwhile, staff at Entrance A said they hadn't caught anyone trying to sneak in alcohol or being turned away because they were too drunk.
Tina Stephens and Trish Flood, up for the weekend from Rotorua, bought their toga costumes but accessorised them themselves.
"You want to accommodate the weather and you always want to look sexy when you go to events like this."
Ambulance coordinator Lynn Mosley said St John staff mostly treated people for dehydration, blisters and medical conditions over the two days.
The most pleasing aspect was the defensive intent, especially in the first hour or so.