Doug Howlett hailed Munster as 'something special in world rugby' after Saturday's Heineken Cup triumph over Toulouse.
Howlett has won Super rugby titles with the Crusaders, Tri-Nations titles, Lions series and Grand Slam tours with the All Blacks - but he has never before experienced anything like the Heineken Cup final.
Munster were roared on by a travelling red army of 60,000-plus fans, who turned the Millennium Stadium into a home from home for the second time in three years.
On both occasions, Munster returned from Cardiff as European champions after narrow victories over French opponents - Biarritz in 2006 and Toulouse this weekend.
And after just one season playing in the northern hemisphere, the passion, history and spirit of Munster rugby has already worked its way under Howlett's skin.
'I have played Test matches at the Millennium Stadium with the All Blacks but we don't quite get the same reception,' Howlett reflected.
'This was a fantastic event. This is why I came up here, for these experiences.
'It is hard to put your finger on what Munster is.
'But going out there and seeing thousands of supporters and having 65,000 stay behind after the game to celebrate - it is something special in world rugby.'
Howlett celebrated after the final whistle by walking the length of the field, holding the trophy aloft and saluting the supporters.
It was particularly special for Howlett to make a winning return to the Millennium Stadium, after being controversially omitted from the New Zealand side beaten by France in the World Cup quarter-final last autumn.
