Tonga National Rugby League team was welcomed to the Hamilton Gardens by a small crowd of enthusiastic supporters. Photos / Tom Rowland
Tonga National Rugby League team was welcomed to the Hamilton Gardens by a small crowd of enthusiastic supporters. Photos / Tom Rowland
Tonga supporters sang songs and danced to welcome the Tonga national rugby league team.
Tonga's national rugby league team received a rousing welcome from fans, the city and its Pasifika community on Wednesday as Hamilton heats up for the anticipated fierce encounter between Tonga and Samoa this weekend.
In one of the most awaited games of the group stages of the Rugby League World Cup, Tonga hosts Samoa at Waikato Stadium on Saturday evening after trouncing Scotland 50-4 in Australia.
Local school Pasifika welcomed the Tonga National Rugby League team with a cultural dance performance.
The action began at the Round Lawn in Hamilton Gardens on Wednesday with the official city welcome for the star-studded Tonga team. The side includes former Kiwi stars Manu Vatuvei, David Fusitua, Sika Manu and Jason Taumalolo, who switched their allegiance to Tonga just before the world cup squads were named.
Fans brought out their flags to support the Tongan National Rugby League team.
Tongan fans wearing traditional mats and tapa cloth, and national colours of red and white cheered and danced on the lawn before their sports heroes arrived.
Acting mayor Rob Pascoe said it was a privilege to have the team here.
Team captain William Hopoate thanked the city for the welcome, which included performances by Maori and Pacific cultural groups.
Local school Pasifika welcomed the Tonga National Rugby League team with a cultural dance performance.
"We are really happy to be here in Hamilton and I would like to thank you on behalf of the team for the warm welcome," Hopoate said.
Waikato Stadium hosts two World Cup matches, the first this Saturday when the two Pacific Island neighbours clash. On November 11 co-hosts New Zealand take on Tonga.
Contingents of Samoan and Tongan supporters are expected to converge on the city tomorrow, with fan parades to the stadium leaving from Norris Ward Park at 9.30am.
Cultural dances were on show as the Tonga National Rugby League team was welcomed to Hamilton.
Chad Hooker, Hamilton City Council's major events director, says the Tonga v Samoa match will be enhanced with a Pasifika Fan Fest on the Mill St field (adjacent to the stadium) throughout Saturday.
"It will feature Polynesian performances, entertainment and humour, as we've enlisted Samoan comedian Tofiga Fepulea'i to MC the event," Mr Hooker says.
Entry to the Pasifika Fan Fest from 10am to 2pm is free, with Pacific Island food and drinks available.
Stadium gates open at 4pm with the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns facing Wahine Toa (New Zealand Maori Women) at 4.45pm before the main game between Samoa and Tonga at 7.30pm.
People are urged to carpool and walk to the ground, with traffic management around the stadium throughout the day meaning some streets will be closed to vehicles
The council and community leaders have organised an inter-denominational worship event at Claudelands Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Service of Celebration will be led by Samoan and Tongan community leaders and starts at 1.30pm.
For more details on Hamilton's involvement in Rugby League World Cup 201 visit www.hamiltonhostcity.co.nz. Waikato Stadium's Ticketek box office, at Gate 1, will be open on match day from 12 noon, and tickets can also be bought online from www.rlwc2017.com
