Rugby World Cup Fever hits TONGA supporting the 'IKALE TAHI

Tonga is a small nation with approximately 120 000 people, but boy can they be loud and proud when excited. In the last 3 weeks leading up to tonights Opening Ceremony, the parliment in Tonga has declared "Red Friday" to support the 'IKALE TAHI, the Tongan World Cup Rugby Team. From government departments, schools, commerical enterprises big and small, the local shops, houses, hotels, cars, buses, trucks, parks and the pubs - everyone has jumped on the red band wagon. It is wonderful to be part of such excitment. Cars are covered in balloons tooting their horns when they see a similar vehicle, and groups of Tongans start singing and dancing when they come across another group of similarily attired people. The team even has its own song which has been played non stop on the radio. Our friend "Rugby John" is the technical advisor on the coaching staff and he left with the team on Monday, with hundreds of supporters at the airport to see them off. His wife Jen (O.D.D.) and the kids have left to join him and we are very jealous.

The NZ news has shown continous coverage of the team arriving in Auckland, greeted by even more hundreds of Tongan fans up to the kilt in red and white. Some have even declared Auckland the new Tonga town. Everyone here is very proud of them all and only hope in the opening match tonight against the All Blacks that they get some points on the board. Good Luck and Go! 'Ikale Tahi GO!

Team Tonga Quirke style,1. Jodie in her RWC Jersey signed by the team (thanks John), 2. the jersey and team photos, 3. Lyndon in his supporters shirt.

1. Dressing up the Tonga Water Board office, 2. this house is typical of the support banners around town, 3. the RED army hanging around town signing the team song.

1. This is typical on the streets at the moment, 2. trucks and vans all dressed up and the flag waving. 3. The tug boat even got in on the act.

1. The Korean Embassay, 2. the customs house car park, 3. the Westpac Bank of Tonga.

1. Emily outside our little supermarket, 2. the vegetable marketi, 3. and 1 of only 6 roundabouts in Tonga, decorated by Tonga Power.

1. One of the local backyard BBQ huts, 2. our best hotel Little Italy, and 3. our poor attempt of joining in the action. This was the only red and white material left that I could get my hands on. The entire stocks of balloons, streamers, bunting etc etc all sold out.

GO 'IKALE TAHI GO - this sign outside one of the pubs.

WALLABIES WEDNESDAY

Not to be out done, but in conjunction with the Tongans, our wonderful High Commissioner promptly declared Wednesday to be WALLABY WEDNESDAY throughout the duration of the cup. Although there are only about 120 Aussies here, everyone is pulling out the old jerseys and anything green and gold and joining in the fun.

Some of the Australian High Commission staff all geared up and the enterance to the Immigration office.