NUKU'ALOFA turned out in red today, Friday August 19 in support of Tonga's National Rugby Team 'Ikale Tahi who meet the Flying Fijians in their second test match in Lautoka at 4:30pm.

The 'Ikale Tahi needs to win this second test match - their last warm-up game before returning to Tonga to prepare for the Rugby World Cup opening match against the New Zealand All Blacks on September 9. The 'Ikale Tahi lost the first test match with the Flying Fijians 27-12 last Saturday, August 13.

But the support for the national rugby team was evident in the Nuku'alofa central business district today, where red was the main colour in government offices, private businesses and in the schools.

Civil servants at the Prime Ministers were all wearing red as well as staff at the Tonga Post Ltd., Tonga Power Ltd., Office Equipment Ltd., along with the public who donned red shirts today.

Showing support for "Red Friday" were students at St Andrews High School in red and white clothing and the Government Primary School at Fasi with their young pupils and teachers in bright red.

Government had since July declared every Friday of the week as Red Friday in its backing of the 'Ikale Tahi as they prepare for the RWC.

Before that, leading the way was the Pacific Finance and Investments Ltd. employing around 100 staff in Office Equipment Ltd, Leiola Group Ltd, Pacific Timber and Hardware Ltd, Dateline Transam Ltd, Pacific Management Consultants and Courts Tonga Ltd had been wearing red every Friday.

In addition red and while balloons with Tongan flags were flying high in some offices in Nuku'alofa, cheering on the 'Ikale Tahi.