The Samoan rugby league team have received a heroes' welcome at Sydney International Airport on Tuesday.
They may have fallen short of winning the World Cup, but their defeat to Australia in the final didn't deter their fans.
It was by no means a return for the defeated.
"Overwhelming," said star half Jarome Luai. "A bit emotional."
Dressed in their national colours, some fans had waited since 3am to catch a glimpse of the team that brought the small island nation so much joy.
"I'm so proud of them and proud to be there," said one fan.
The team were well beaten 30-10 by the Kangaroos in the World Cup final on Monday (NZ time).
But the scoreline mattered little to the hordes of Australian Samoans, whose allegiances will always lie in the Pacific.
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