VIDEO: Tongan rugby fans swamp Auckland Airport

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 7:00p.m.

John Campbell gets amongst the Tongan rugby fans

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On Friday the Rugby World Cup will kick off with an opening ceremony at Eden Park, followed by the All Blacks playing Tonga.

Tonga are, of course, the RWC outsiders. The last time the All Blacks played them the score was 91-7.

But the Tonga supporters who swamped Auckland Airport this afternoon – causing gridlock on the surrounding roads and making so much noise they drowned out planes landing nearby – back their boys with a passion those of us who support more successful teams can perhaps learn something from.

They’re in a pool with the All Blacks, France and Japan – qualification into the quarter finals would be a triumph, if not a miracle.

But try telling that to their fans.

Watch John Campbell’s report

Comments [97]

ChazdenCute

28 Sep 2011 10:34a.m.

Ikale Tahi is to much fluffing aroung mayn comon pull up your socks, ima adill support use with mah flagss and all my rugby shirts and scarf and stuff, but mayn try your best, dont be scared of the ball and learn how to pass and communicate with each other. i watch your game against canada, i was there and your could have won but to me your pride took over your professionalism pfftt!! but this last game with France, just try a little bit harder. dont take it wrong but mayn stop fluffing around and start training geezzee.

DIVERSITY

12 Sep 2011 09:00p.m.

GO ALL BLACKS, GO RED , AND GO BLUE, WE ALL HUMAN BEING SUPPORT ALL OF THEM THEY PLAY AND TRAINED HARD THEY ALL DESERVED A CHEERS,,

Erm...

12 Sep 2011 03:19p.m.

I can't find any coverage of all the Tongans looking for a fight at the waterfront on Friday night - I wonder why that is?

Vikatoria

12 Sep 2011 03:01a.m.

Only one and only rugby player I know wen RWC opening celemony is John Lomu from Tonga. Wer are those other players dat Pio mention:(((? Yes our story is full stop nw no need to lisen to u pihi sori pio...

toufik

11 Sep 2011 06:34p.m.

I want boxing champion of Morocco to take part in the world championship, but I needed to support any funding Is the information and thanks

Sea Eagles

10 Sep 2011 07:33p.m.

To the person who commented saying not to compare Samoa to Tonga - your wrong. Theres no need to put it out like that, in the end, we are neighbours in the pacific circle and yet you have the nerve to say that. It doesnt matter whose tongan or samoan, in the end we all support each other. And as for who has done so much for rugby, it dont matter how many samoans and tongans have contributed to rugby. In the end only one team will win. Our supporters will stand strong no matter the outcome. No need to look down on the tongans because this is our culture and im pretty sure yours is just the same. Support for the brothers is all that matters, let the heart be bigger than the head. All support goes to the Ikale Tahi team, dont worry about what others say, only the Lord can judge. Big ups to the other two island teams - Samoa and Fiji. Lets do this guys.

Nia

09 Sep 2011 11:35p.m.

Hey Campbell, your name is not John anymore - it's Sione.... hahaha

tagi wilson

09 Sep 2011 03:10p.m.

lol wow john campbell you are one brave son of a gun hehe

Andy

09 Sep 2011 09:35a.m.

That is beautiful television!

Niulife

08 Sep 2011 03:24p.m.

Ikaletahi be your best, cause win or loose doesn't matter, we still proud of our lovely beautiful island ,we tiny but heart no one knows.Go 'Ikaletahi Go, cause you still the best team in the World, God bless 'Ikaletahi. 'Ofa lahi atu......