TONGA out of the World Cup but continue the party!

Well Tonga may not have made the quarter finals but what a last game beating France 19-14. They returned home two days after and the entire Island was going off. From the kick off of that last game and until they arrived home two days later. With our inside info (live from the ground from Rugby John) we found out they were to arrive home at 0930 on the Monday morning. Then when Maria turned up for work she told us her boys had headed out to the airport at 0730. We felt sorry for anyone trying to get on that outbound plane. Jodie, Maria and the kids lined up from 1000 in the centre of town and with constant text from Rugby John on the team bus it was a long wait. It took them 3.5 hrs to cover the 20km drive into town from the airport, yep walking pace, police escort and all. Luckily for us the street parade entertainment was in the form of very happy supporters, continued the entire time. Lyndon even dropped in for lunch as we had sat near a good little hamburger joint. John said it was incredible and a highlight of his international coaching career. The team then had a formal reception to welcome them back.

Some people had little banners and flags others went a step further with balloons.

Others couldn't help but repaint the car.

If you owned a truck you suddenly found a whole lot of new friends.

This father son team did laps all day long. John even said he saw a bloke riding beside them on a bike with no tires on the wheels, yep rims only.

No need to turn your radio up most of the trucks had massive stereos onboard pumping out the tune's.

Fakalate's (lady boys) were out in force even.

Lyndon seemed to be the only goose not in red. Jodie even had a red scarf for Maria.

The girls getting very excited and the crowd began to grow.

Finally 3.5hrs later the bus was here!

Big Rugby John throwing us a wave with a few of the boys onboard (and press).

This is only a small sample of what was following them into town.

And there they go but the entertainment continued for miles. The local panel beaters and spray painters will do a booming trade from the festivities. John said they didn't finish until 4ish at the presentation on the Esplanade, then it was off to another function till midnight at Re-Load (a friendly little bar). Man what an experience imagine next time when they do make the quarter finals?????