Tongan fans cause chaos in Auckland

Tongan fans have helped bring Auckland traffic to a standstill as they celebrate the arrival of their team for the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Trudy Burt

Gridlock has hit several major Auckland arterial roads as thousands of dancing Tongan rugby fans take to the streets to support their team.

The Tongan rugby team arrived in the country this morning and then visited a venue at Greenwoods Corner in Epsom.

Police said Pah and Manukau Roads were "extremely congested" as several thousands rugby supporters crowded into the area.

Roads were being closed and traffic was being diverted to reduce traffic flow, police said.

However, they were expecting "large movements of supporters" when the team left the venue.

Trudy Burt told nzherald.co.nz the motorway near the venue was gridlocked as fans waited for the team bus to pass.

Some fans were dancing on the motorway, she said.

"The madness of Tonga arriving - literally had the motorway in a grid locked state. People dancing on the motorway - so many cars parked up, waiting for the bus to pass. It was awesome."