Jahrome Hughes admits he had “goosebumps” after several Kiwi teammates honoured him with a “really special” haka on Wednesday night.
The halfback picked up the first Dally M Medal of his career, holding off Roosters captain James Tedesco by just a single vote on rugby league’s night of nights.
As proceedings were being wrapped up, the cry from Storm winger Will Warbrick was loud and clear, before Dally M Team of the Year members Joseph Tapine and Eli Katoa left the podium to join him in a show of respect.
READ MORE: How Hughes went from unwanted to best in the game
IN PICTURES: All the big moments from Dally M night
READ MORE: Manager reveals ‘homesick’ Hughes almost quit Storm
The performance went for just under a minute and was applauded by the crowd, before Katoa and Tapine returned to the stage to embrace Hughes.
“A powerful mark of respect and what it means to this great game of ours in the NRL,” presenter Yvonne Sampson said.
Speaking to Nine’s Today on Thursday morning, Hughes explained why the moment meant so much to him and thanked the trio for their tribute.
”It meant a lot,” the 29-year-old said.
“When the boys got up and done it, I was truly humbled. It just showed so much respect and I was starting to get a bit teary-eyed, going through what I’ve been through.
Watch the 2024 NRL grand final live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“It was a special moment for myself and it’s the one moment that will stick with me forever. It was just a special moment at the time, for the boys to do that for myself and show that respect, it really gave me goosebumps.
“It just all hit me at once when they got up to do it.”
In 2018, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was honoured with a haka after he won the Dally M Medal, becoming the first Warriors player to receive the award.
Jordan Rapana, Jazz Tevaga, Issac Luke and Jamayne Isaako were the four men paying tribute that year, with Tuivasa-Sheck was notably close to tears at the time.