Tonga flag unfurls

One lucky Wairarapa rugby fan has won the chance of a lifetime, and will be a flag-bearer for an international rugby team during the Rugby World Cup.

Jordon Oakey, 16, is one of four Wairarapa enthusiasts who has won the chance to lead a team on to the field.

Rugby World Cup 2011 and Emirates Airline ran the flag-bearer programme - entrants had to explain in a maximum of 50 words why they would like to take part.

"It has been a much more exacting process than we expected, such has been the calibre of the entries," said Emirates' New Zealand manager Chris Lethbridge.

Jordon, of Carterton, will bear Tonga's national flag when they play France at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

He said he was feeling "pretty stoked" and "pretty proud" about leading a professional rugby team on to the field.

He said he had seen Tonga play only on television ... "They're good ball runners."

Although selected, Jordon still has one obstacle to overcome - who to take.

He said one of the conditions of the competition was winners had to take their guardians, and at the moment it was looking like being Mum.

"I'd consider it like winning Lotto in the rugby world," he said.

Other Wairarapa winners are Masterton's Scott Day supporting Scotland, Caitlin McNeil of Masterton carrying the United States flag, and Martinborough's Tess Laven, who will carry the flag of Canada.