As the morning-after dawned on five new All Blacks, the reality of their dreams coming try has been slow to sink in.
Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau and winger Emoni Narawa, Crusaders midfielder Dallas McLeod and prop Tamaiti Williams, and Hurricanes' halfback Cam Roigard all heard their names called out for the first time by coach Ian Foster.
Amid the surprise and the tears of family and loved ones, they must now raise their expectations to another level, with the prospect of a Rugby World Cup looming later this year.
For the Chiefs and the Crusaders, they must also temper that excitement, as they prepare for the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday.
Samipeni Finau
Age: 24
Born: Tonga
Team: Waikato/Chiefs
Position: Loose forward
"I was at my partner's parents house for a traditional Sunday dinner. We were just chilling there, waiting for the food, whe the team got announceed... just stoked.
"It's still not settled in yet and it might take me a while, but I know I still have a final to take my focus.
"Pretty much straight after, mum was on the phone and we had a few tears there. I don't know what to say, I'm still going through the emotion.
"The phone call with the coaches was soon after and they congratulated me. I just thanked them for giving me the opportunity."
Emoni Narawa
Age: 23
Born: Suva, Fiji
Team: Bay of Plenty/Chiefs
Position: Wing
"I'm still buzzing at the moment, it hasn't really sunk in. I was at home with my partner and baby, and flatties, when I got called out.
"I just went blank and couldn't even sleep last night, to be honest. I called my mum and dad straight away, and they were quite emotional.
"They're in Fiji at the moment and were still looking for the channel to watch the announcement. My dad was surprising, he was proud and emotional - I was trying to hold it together, but my emotions got the better of me.
"It's a proud moment, not only for myself, but for my family and everyone back home. My mum and dad have sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am today.
"I had a moment to myself, after my partner and baby went to bed... I had a couple of hours in the lounge, just sitting there staring. It hasn't really sunk in."
Tamaiti Williams
Age: 22
Born: Whangārei
Team: Canterbury/Crusaders
Position: Prop
"I was at home with my fiancee and my parents, just at the flat. We were just watching on TV, chilling out and then got the news... still a bit shocked really.
"It was special having my parents there. Only heard the start of my name and mum started crying, so I thought it must be good news.
"I was just stoked to have them down for the weekend. They’ve been coming down every weekend for the last three weeks, but they stayed longer this weekend, just on the off chance that I did get named, so it was pretty special having them here.
"I actually was a little bit nervous. I was doubting myself, a few negative thoughts that I wasn’t good enough, but when I was named, I was just grateful that I got the opportunity to represent my family.
"I grew up in Australia and I still wanted to play for the All Blacks. My dad said it’s what he wanted to be when he grew up, but he didn’t get the chance, so for me to have an opportunity to one day pull it on, put the black jersey on, it’s pretty cool for our family."
Dallas McLeod
Age: 24
Born: Methven
Teams: Canterbury/Crusaders
Position: Midfield
"Sitting at home with my girlfriend and my flatmate, we were just watching it on the TV and not really expecting it at all, so it was a big surprise, definitely.
"I was lost for words, hands on my face and didn’t really know what to think. Literally, I had no words for it and it was quite an emotional time around me too.
"Mum rang me pretty much straight away and she didn’t really have any words either, and dad was there as well, so pretty special. Then my brother and his girlfriend and their son came around... they brought some champagne, so we popped that and had one, but I've got a job to do this week still, so not too big of a celebration.
"Struggled to get to sleep for a while. I was a bit still kind of in shock about it, to be fair, and still finding it hard to believe it’s happened. It was cool coming in here - the boys got around me and made me feel pretty special, so it was cool."
Cam Roigard
Age: 22
Born: NZ
Teams: Counties Manukau/Hurricanes
Position: Halfback
"I suppose I found out the same way everyone else did. It was a little bit overwhelming, but I had all my family here, so I was pretty emotional.
"It was a pretty special moment, and having my family and friends all here was pretty cool.
"There was obviously lots of speculation, but in terms anything official or a reliable sources of insight, there was nothing. My family is in Cambridge and I was in Wellington, because of the two namings, I was hopeful I'd be in one of the two, so I came up just in case - in hindsight, I'm glad I did.
"The further into the season I got, I suppose there was more outside noise, but I was pretty fortunate in the 'Canes environment, I've got people there to keep me ground... the likes of Colesy. He's a great man and very humble, and just made sure I stayed the same.
"Me and TJ [Perenara] get on really well, and it's unfortunate for him to have that Achilles injury. It was an opportunity for me this year, but he's set the standard for so many years, so being able to step into his shoes and trying to maintain that standard."
