Tongan rugby fans formed a sea of red and white as they flocked to a team training session in Wellington today with hopes of getting a signature or even a kiss from the players.
The Tongan team was enthusiastically welcomed by a marching band and a cheering crowd of hundreds as they took to the field at Hutt Recreation Ground ahead of their final pool game against France on Saturday.
There were none of the chaotic scenes that met the team when they touched down in Auckland earlier this month, with traffic flowing freely around the grounds and plenty of parking for those willing to walk a couple of blocks.
The grandstand, draped with Tongan flags, was packed with supporters, many of them school children. Hundreds more spilled onto the field, some with painted faces and red wigs.
Elizabeth Fifita was hoping for a signature from the players - "and a kiss on the cheek''.
She didn't know which player in particular she supported, turning to her friend to ask: "Who do you think is hot?''
Ms Fifita was glad to see so much support for the Tongan people and team.
"There's just so many Tongans around here, heaps of supporters. I never knew there was this many Tongans,'' she said.
Ms Fifita was going to the game on Saturday but said it was hard to pick who might win.
"France looked good against the All Blacks. I have a feeling France is going to win, but I have faith in the Tongans.''
Her friend Etina Lepa was at the training session to catch up with Tongan player Ilaisa Ma'asi.
"He's a friend of mine, we used to go to the same school in the Islands. We're going to take a picture with him and have his signature.''
Ms Lepa said she was proud to be Tongan but it was OK if the team did not win.
"We'll still have the spirit.''
Samoan Katrina Vailea, whose husband is Tongan, was there to get her T-shirt signed by the players and to soak in the atmosphere.
"I'm a Tongan today,'' she joked.
"It makes you feel happy and joyful and want to dance with all the people.''
The traffic had been good travelling from her home in Newtown, Wellington, although she had to find a park on a side road.
Ms Vailea and her husband had also been among the hundreds of fans who greeted the team at Wellington Airport yesterday.
"It was even crazier than this, the people were just really singing and they had a Tongan band ... It was a really good day yesterday.''
She said the game on Saturday would be tough because France was a strong team.
"Tonga's got a tough game to play, but they've got a lot of supporters encouraging them, so hopefully that will get them fired up for Saturday.''