Fua'amotu turns red to farewell the 'Ikale Tahi [1]
Monday, September 5, 2011 - 14:28. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
<nuku, Tonga:
THE Fua'amotu International Airport turned red this morning as hundreds of people gathered at the airport to bid farewell to Tonga's national rugby team, 'Ikale Tahi.
The 'Ikale Tahi departed Tonga on Air New Zealand at 11.20 am for Auckland where it will meet the New Zealand All Blacks in the first game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup on Friday, 9 September.
The airport turned into red and white, the colour of the 'Ikale Tahi, as cars and vans loaded with cheering 'Ikale Tahi supporters arrived to say farewell to their team.
The team and management were farewelled by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Sunia Fili and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tui'afitu during a special prayer session at the VIP area at the airport.
The team then came out and farewelled the crowd for the last time before continuing to their check in and boarded Air New Zealand flight, while the many supporters screamed out farewells from the terminal.
Captain Finau Maka was very emotional as he farewelled the crowd while other players signed autographs and said goodbye to families and friends.
Before the Air New Zealand flight left Tonga the Matangi Tonga received information from Auckland that the Tongan community in Auckland were gathering at the Auckland Airport to welcome the 'Ikale Tahi.