RWC: Tongan community rallies for rugby team's red letter day

Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau says it's not just about rugby but engaging with people from other countries. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand's Tongan community is rallying together to support its rugby team and is praying that they cause a huge upset in the first Rugby World Cup match.

Tonga's national team, 'Ikale Tahi, will go head to head with the All Blacks on September 9 and already Tongans from around New Zealand are getting set to cheer their team on.

The Tonga RWC Komiti2011 supporters' group was set up in February and has been organising various events and activities to help the Tongan community support its team.

Chairwoman Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau said that following announcements via Tongan media networks, up to 300 tickets to the first match had been purchased through the supporters' group.

Among those is about 100 people - 85 students and the rest teachers - from Tonga High School and Atele College in Tonga.

The students are aged 15 years old and under and play rugby in the islands. They have fundraised for months to come to New Zealand to cheer their team on against the All Blacks.

Many more tickets are expected to have been sold to Tongans from around the country and overseas, particularly those from Tonga and Australia.

About 5000 tickets are left to be sold. King George Tupou V is yet to confirm whether he will attend the match, but Tongan Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano will be among the supporters.

Karangahape Rd and Epsom's Greenwoods Corner - near the Tongan King's Auckland residence - have adopted Tonga as their second team and will be turning their streets red on the week of the match.

September 2 has been dubbed Red Day and supporters and Tongans everywhere will wear red in support of the team.

A huge welcoming parade is expected at Auckland International Airport on September 5 when the Tongan team arrives.

They will train at Western Springs the next day and festivities include dancing, cultural performances and food stalls.

On match day itself, the Tongan community will be out in full force, with up to 200 cultural performers set to welcome people at various points outside Eden Park.

A 50-piece brass band, food stalls and cultural performances will be located on K Rd and a graffiti artist will paint a special tribute to the team at the 4.20 Rising Sun club on K Rd.

"It's been a lot of hard work, but it's worth it," Mrs Afeaki-Taumoepeau said. "It's not just about rugby, but engaging with our community and people from other countries."