Sport
16 April, 2025
Grandstand full of Tongan pride
There was a strong Pacific Island vibe at the Mount Isa Rugby Union grounds on Saturday.
Tongan supporters have a reputation for showing up in force to support their sporting teams and it was no different at the Mount Isa World Cup Rugby Cluster on Saturday.
And while the Tonga team did not take out the top spot in the five nation clash, there is no doubt the Tongan fans made their presence known.
When North West Weekly arrived at the scene, a choir of Tongan supporters were cheerfully singing the praises of their team from the grandstand.
Leading the grandstand gang was Tongan-born Loumaile Pekipaki, who was lived in Mount Isa for almost a decade.
She said she was proud to wave her home nation’s red and white flag.
“We are always proud of our boys and we all try to support them whether they are training or out on the field playing,” she said in between breaking out in dances, chants and cheers.
“We just love our Tongan home country and we love our Tongan community in Mount Isa.”
Loumaile said more than 50 members of the Tongan community met for social events each weekend in Mount Isa and helped each other like “one big family”.
“Mount Isa is a place which is isolated and so we call home here from different places,” she said.
“We feel like we are at home when our community gets together for food and dancing and some fun.”
The first of the World Cup Rugby Cluster 7s was won by New Zealand, ahead of Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga.
The Kiwis won $2000 but donated half of it back to Mount Isa Rugby Union to support junior development.
The next cluster will be held on Saturday, May 17 and women’s matches will also be played.