Rugby League World Cup: Tongan and Samoan fans celebrate big ahead of Pacific showdown
It’s tipped to be one of the best matches of the Rugby League World Cup tournament, as Tonga and Samoa face each other in the ultimate Pacific showdown.
Excitement has been building for weeks ahead of tonight’s sold-out game at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, which kicks off at 10.05pm NZT.
In Auckland, the biggest Polynesian city in the world, spontaneous parades and celebrations have popped up all around over the past few weeks since the tournament started.
Samoan and Tongan flags have been particularly prominent this week as the communities show their pride and support for their respective teams.
A thousand flags sold in two weeks
On Ōtāhuhu’s main shopping strip, on Great South Rd, blue and red shirts have pride of place in front of several stores, with Samoan and Tongan flags waving wildly in the Auckland wind that day.
Gary Wang, owner of the Bargain House store, is busy hanging up Tonga and Samoa-branded rugby league jerseys and shirts when the Herald arrives.
“Very busy,” he says.
There are flags of all sizes at the store – small, medium, large and mega large, that are sometimes seen on the sides of trucks or flying outside houses. There are also tiny flags for desks – the Samoan flags have sold out in that size.
“Over the last two weeks, we’ve sold probably nearly 1000 flags. Tonga is most popular,” Wang says with a smile.
Mele Finau is easily spotted in her bright red shirt, complete with the word “TONGA” on the front.
The 27-year-old from Parnell said she had been showing off her Tongan pride by wearing red and white this week. Seeing all the excitement among both Tongan and Samoan communities had been wonderful.
“I think it’s a great way for us to show our pride in our country, especially living away from the islands. It’s our way to connect back to our motherland.”
‘We’re all from the islands’
Proud Samoan Chris Paea’s car has two mega-sized Samoan flags flying from it. There is another huge one outside his house just around the corner, he says.
Speaking in Samoan, he shared a message to the Toa Samoa players: “We are supporting you, brothers. We’re praying for a good game and a good result.”
He lets out a sudden “cheehoo” – making several passersby jump.
There is no doubt who Penisimani Latu is backing to win tonight, with the entire bonnet of his vehicle covered in the distinctive red and white flag.
“You’ve got to be proud of where you come from. But it doesn’t matter if you’re Tongan or Samoan – at the end of the day, we all come from the islands.
“If Tonga goes down this weekend, then we will turn around and support Samoa.”
Celebrate safely and quietly after hours
Police and community leaders are backing both teams, but calling on members of the public to stay safe and be mindful of the whole community.
Officers will be out and about to ensure celebrations are safe and respectful.
Superintendent Riki Whiu said celebrations should not put anyone in danger or disrupt other people’s evenings.
“Keep celebrations away from open roads and intersections. Flags can fly freely outside your vehicle, but all passengers must remain safely inside.”
Over the past few weeks, authorities have received noise complaints in relation to loud music, horn tooting and celebrations going into the early hours of the morning.
“Be mindful of neighbours and residential areas. Keep the music down and your hands on the steering wheel, not the horn,” Whiu said.
Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina said it was an exciting time for many rugby league fans around the world; but especially for Samoan and Tongan fans this weekend.
“It’s always been exciting when you get two Pacific nations playing against each other. And we know with the Rugby League World Cup, we’ve got Samoa and Tonga.
“But my plea to the supporters is, please, safety is number one – safety is first. Whether you’re driving around with your flags, be wary.”
Filipaina spoke about an incident during Rugby League World Cup celebrations in 2022, when a woman was seriously injured at a parade in Māngere.
Police said she had been sitting on the bonnet of a moving vehicle when she fell and was then run over by a car.
“That’s what’s so important – the safety,” Filipaina said.
“Don’t sit outside the window. You want to make sure you end up watching the game too – and watch more games.”
Asked whether he had any country flags on his car, Filipaina laughed, saying that although he did not have any, he was backing Samoa because of his father’s side of the aiga.
He is also a supporter of the Kiwis, he said, as an ode to his Māori roots on his mother’s side. His brother is also Kiwis rugby league legend, the late Olsen Filipaina.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and won the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.