Nuku'alofa turns red [1]
Friday, September 2, 2011 - 18:23. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
Tonga's Red Friday was this week noticeably redder and madder in the Nuku'alofa Central Business District.
With just seven days to go before the 'Ikale Tahi meets the All Blacks on September 9, the nation showed its support for the 'Ikale Tahi rugby team who clashes with the New Zealand All Blacks next Friday.
The 'Ikale Tahi rugby team captained by Finau Maka departs Tonga for New Zealand on Monday, September 5.
The Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Education put up red colourful and civil servants were out in rugby red and white.
The Embassy of Japan in Nuku'alofa also came out in red in support of the 'Ikale Tahi and staff was led by the Charge d'affaires
Mr Yoshimitsu Kawata.
At the main Westpac Bank Branch in Nuku'alofa, a DJ playing 'Ikale Tahi songs and 'Ikale Tahi banners decked with red and white balloons were out to greet customers while the whole bank staff were in red.
The red got wilder at Queen Salote College as the all girls students and teachers were all in furious red and white. Students also put on happy cheers for the 'Ikale Tahi and songs in support of the team at the school compound.
Outside of Nuku'alofa at Ha'ateiho, the University of the South Pacific Tonga Campus hosted a Red Lunch and attended by the TRUA Deputy Chairman and Team Manager 'Aminiasi Kefu and Head Coach 'Isitolo Maka.
The university campus was in full red and white from the campus entrance to decorations on the lawn and classrooms. Students and teachers also dressed to the nines in their red outfits while some outdid others with outrageous outfits.
The campus was decked in red since last week for a competition on which department would put on the best display themed with the re. A red outfit competition was won by Miss Sunshine who was dressed in an outrageous red outfit today.
There are more red days ahead as Tongans are eagerly count down the days to next Friday, when the 'Ikale Tahi team puts on its red jerseys and meet the All Blacks at Eden Park.