COMMUNITY support is rolling in for Tonga's national rugby team, the 'Ikale Tahi now in training for the September 9 Opening Match against the New Zealand All Blacks.

The Vete family in Nuku'alofa donated 60 trays of eggs and over a dozen packets of sausages and bowls of butter for the players' meals during their training in Nuku'alofa. Led by Tisi Vete and Vili Vete they handed over the food to Deputy Chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union Authority 'Aminiasi Kefu and Director Aloma Johansson at the TRUA office at Fasi, today.

At the same time at Sia'atoutai Theological College the 'Ikale Tahi team and coach were treated to a lunch hosted by the principal Rev Dr Siotame Havea, who said that the team had approached them to use their rugby field for their training and they were very happy to provide the field.

Coach 'Isitolo Maka was grateful for all the support shown to the team and asked everyone to include the team's preparation for the Rugby World Cup, in their prayers.

He said that he had picked his Rugby World Cup 30-member squad last night for the Tonga Rugby Union Board, who would announce it at the Janfull Dateline Hotel on Tuesday at 12:30pm.

"The team have improved a lot following our second test match against the Flying Fijians on Friday. But there are still many things to improve and that is what we will be doing in our two weeks training," he said.