SUPPORTERS of Tonga's national rugby team, the 'Ikale Tahi are showing up around the world this week and in Washington DC on Saturday September 3 a group of 'Ikale Tahi supporters waved the Tongan flag and placards in outside the White House in support of the 'Ikale Tahi.

The 'Ikale Tahi will play the Rugby World Cup favourite, the New Zealand All Blacks at the opening game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Friday, September 9.

The Washington 'Ikale Tahi supporters are members of the families of Tongans, Balwyn Fa'otusia and Sela Tu'iono who are working at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington. Balwyn told Matangi Tonga that on Saturday, the two families wore red to demonstrate their full support for the 'Ikale Tahi in their upcoming World Cup games, particularly their opening game of the World Cup against New Zealand.

The two families send their best wishes and 'Ofa atu "to all the 'Ikale Tahi boys, the Head Coach, 'Isitolo Maka and his assistants, as well as the managers," she said.