KEY POINTS:
Rugby World Cup fever overflowed in Tonga yesterday after the islanders came close to pulling off the upset of the tournament against South Africa.
Tongan gave the Springboks, the 1995 champions, a huge scare, prompting a standing ovation from a 40,000-strong crowd at the Stade Felix Bollaert in France at the end of the game they eventually lost 30-25.
Locals say there was little interest in the Tongan team in the tiny kingdom before they left for Europe, but their performances in France, including their 19-15 defeat of Pacific neighbours and arch rivals Samoa, have fuelled great excitement.
"A lot of people didn't think they had much hope, they didn't believe they would perform well at all," said Clive Edwards, an independent Member of Parliament.
"But they've been outstanding so far and everyone here is over the moon.
Supporters in the kingdom now insist Tonga can overcome England in their do-or-die battle on Saturday.
"The people were full of pride when they went off to church Sunday, everyone was talking about the game," government spokesman Sitiveni Finau said Nuku'alofa.
"A lot of people reckon the Springboks were lucky. We reckon our boys are better than England, so the quarter-final clash is anyone's guess."
Some Tongans watched the early-morning game against South Africa on a communal village satellite television, cross-legged around a kava bowl.
Those without access to television followed the match on the local radio.
Finau said many Tongans banded together to buy satellite television equipment well before Tonga's nailbiting win over Samoa last week.
Tongans in the northern Vava'u group of islands have taken advantage of satellite television at some of the tourist resorts, including Mala Island.
Locals on Vavau's mainland have arrived at the 9ha island by boat to watch Tonga's matches over a Fiji Bitter. One of them was Arnie Saimone, who stayed up until 1am (local time) to watch the game with a crowd of about 30.
"Everyone's still talking about how we beat Samoa, even though we were the underdogs. I think England's gonna win, but 'Go Tonga'."
- AFP
