Tonga Fans Transform Auckland into a Sea of Red for Pacific Cup

The atmosphere at Eden Park is set to ignite as Tonga prepares to face New Zealand in the Pacific Cup on March 17, 2024. With a passionate fan base expected to dominate the crowd, local Kiwi players are bracing for what could feel like an away game in their own city.

Te Maire Martin, a 30-year-old utility player, recently experienced the fervor of Tongan supporters while enjoying breakfast in Onehunga. Despite Tonga’s recent defeat to Samoa, which ended 34-6 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the display of red flags and enthusiastic fans left a lasting impression on Martin. He noted, “The flags were still going hard. They got beaten by a fair margin by Samoa and they were still proud as.” This pride reflects the growing enthusiasm for international rugby league, as shown by the large turnout of Tongan supporters.

The attendance at last weekend’s matches was significant. A total of 126,000 fans attended international rugby league games worldwide, breaking previous records. This included a staggering 60,814 spectators at Wembley for the first England-Australia Ashes test since 2001 and 44,682 at Suncorp Stadium for the Tonga-Samoa clash. The attendance figures surpassed the previous record of 86,655 set in 1957 during a World Cup year.

New Zealand Rugby League has acknowledged the potential for a large crowd, hiring Eden Park for the Pacific Cup clash with hopes of drawing over 40,000 fans, despite the potential conflict of Sunday church commitments. The increasing popularity of rugby league among Pacific nations is evident, and New Zealand coach, Stacey Jones, recognizes the growing depth in international rugby. He remarked on the outstanding progression of the game, stating that “the international game is at a really good level and we’ve got to be at our best [to win] against these teams.”

The Kiwis are set to start as favorites against Tonga, but they face a formidable challenge. The last encounter between the two teams ended in a narrow 25-24 defeat for New Zealand, which has left a mark on players like James Fisher-Harris and Joseph Tapine. Tapine was part of the Kiwis squad that suffered a historic loss to Tonga during the 2017 World Cup.

The Tongan team, led by captain Addin Fonua-Blake, will aim to bounce back from their previous performance against Samoa. Felise Kaufusi, a two-time NRL grand final winner, expressed the team’s determination to improve, stating, “We’ll be better for having that run.” He emphasized the need for Tonga to “start fast, start hard and be a lot more disciplined” against the Kiwis.

While the Kiwis prepare for a challenging match, they will also be competing against the atmosphere created by Tongan supporters. During the match, the Kiwis might even encounter hostility from the crowd, with Jones acknowledging that the traditional haka could be met with boos. “We know that the crowd are against us, but we’ve got a good support group there too,” he added.

In addition to the men’s match, the Pacific Cup will also feature a women’s game, where the Kiwi Ferns face off against the Australian Jillaroos. Both teams have already qualified for the final in Sydney, showcasing their dominance in the tournament. The Kiwi Ferns, long considered underdogs, have had mixed results against the Jillaroos in recent years, having won only two of their last twelve encounters. Nevertheless, with 13 players returning from their last victory in Melbourne in 2023, there is hope for a strong performance.

As the crowd gathers at Eden Park, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable day of rugby league. The Kiwis will strive to secure their place in the Pacific Cup final, while Tonga aims to reclaim the pride of their supporters. The stage is set, and fans from both sides are eager to witness the action unfold.