The romance of rugby enveloped the All Blacks opening test.
That passion and the allure of a tropical setting in Samoa drove much of the build-up as the occasion threatened to consume the game. All those historic rugby chapters seemed to overwhelm the sides at Apia Park and especially the visitors.
They got a massive fright until referee Jaco Peyper stopped the anxiety with the scoreboard showing a 25-16 win to the All Blacks. It was one try apiece with Daniel Carter's boot delivering the margin.
Before kickoff, All Black coach Steve Hansen said his side had to do the business, they needed to get into gear quickly with the limited number of games before the World Cup. They got the result but they messed up the delivery.
The lack of control from the All Blacks was a thread throughout the match and while they suffered in the humidity, this was the premier side in world rugby up against the ninth-ranked team in the globe.