Nelson has celebrated its rugby roots with a re-enactment of the first game of rugby ever played in New Zealand.
Some 6000 people, including many dressed up in Victorian costume, attended the match at the Botanic Reserve, the site of the original game played between the Nelson Rugby Football Club and Nelson College in 1870.
The game was played by the same two teams in replica uniforms, with a replica rounded ball specially made for the event.
The game followed rules from the original, although hacking, or kicking the shins of the opposition, was not included in the squeal.
But there was plenty of feeling in the early exchanges, fitting for a 141-year rivalry after Nelson Club, or Town as they were known, won the original 2-0.
The pageantry was also in full force with penny-farthing races before kick-off, a costume competition at half-time and a rousing haka performed by Nelson College students in the lead-up to the game.
Nelson Club, featuring several Tasman Makos and half a dozen retired club members, won the match 3-1. Points could only be scored by kicking goals; tries did not earn points, just an opportunity to kick a goal, which was worth one point.
Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio said after the match he was thrilled with the turn out and the perfect weather it was played under.
"This is our flagship event, we put it forward four years ago when we bid for some world cup games and today has been fantastic. We are proud to be the birthplace of rugby in this country and today has been a wonderful way to honour that."
Organisers said about 50 members of the international media were in attendance, including some from France, Italy, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
The day even included a streaker running across the pitch in long-johns; his punished was some time in the side-line stocks.
Nelson College headmaster and player, Gary O'Shea, said that after years of organising he was happy to see the day went off without a hitch.
It was such a great occasion, the boys really did a great job and the amount of people here is outstanding. I'm thrilled with the day.
The first match was arranged after former Nelson College student Charles Monro, just 19 at the time, returned to Nelson from England with the new game. He coached both sides and arranged the match.
Mr Miccio said those men who played in the original have shaped a nation.
"Our international reputation is shaped around this game and this is where it all started. It pretty fitting that we can come back here all these years later and see how the game started in this country, while in the middle of an event [Rugby World Cup] that shows how far it has come."