Mate Ma'a Tonga parade excites Tongatapu fans [1]
Monday, October 16, 2017 - 16:23. Updated on Monday, October 16, 2017 - 16:58.
Photos by Finau Fonua and Caroline Manu-Moli
Mate Ma’a Tonga players paraded through Nuku’alofa on Saturday morning, October 14, waving to cheering crowds and taking selfies with excited fans.
The parade saw at least a hundred cars and trucks drive through the Nuku’alofa CBD, adorned with Tongan flags and red graffiti. Many of the vehicles used large sound systems to blast the air with Tongan music and throbbing rap songs.
The Mate Ma’a Tonga team were seen training at Pangai Lahi at least two hours before the parade began, on their strict training schedule. The team will leave for Australia tomorrow and are scheduled to play a warm-up game against Italy this Friday.