Partying Tongan fans shut down a major intersection in Sydney after their team came agonisingly close to causing a major upset at the rugby league World Cup.
Tonga’s comeback effort came close to knocking the favoured England side out of the tournament during their semi-final match in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
England triumphed 20-18, but Tongan fans have celebrated like their team won the entire competition.
Partying Tongan fans have shut down a major intersection in Sydney after their team came agonisingly close to causing a major upset at the rugby league World Cup
Tonga’s comeback effort came close to knocking the favoured England side out of the tournament during their semi-final match in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday
Police were present during the celebrations in Sydney’s west as Tongan fans partied
They were seen dancing in the streets in Sydney’s west, shutting down an intersection
Tongan fans had turned out en masse to support their team during the tournament, with games often played in front of a sea of red in the stands
A young Tongan supporter dances as fans wave flags around the little one during the celebrations
They were seen dancing in the streets in Sydney’s west, shutting down an intersection.
Police were present during the celebrations from Tongan fans.
Tongan fans had turned out en masse to support their team during the tournament, with games often played in front of a sea of red in the stands.
Fans wore red jerseys and waved flags proudly as their team came within two points of making the final.
Fans wore red jerseys and waved flags proudly as their team came within two points of making the final
An upset win over New Zealand early in the tournament set Tonga up for a strong campaign
About 25,000 Tongan fans at the Mt Smart ground after the semi-final stood and sang despite their team’s defeat
An upset win over New Zealand early in the tournament set Tonga up for a strong campaign.
High-profile NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita turned down approaches from New Zealand and Australia respectively in favour of representing Tonga.
About 25,000 Tongan fans at the Mt Smart ground after the semi-final stood and sang despite their team’s defeat.
Tongan fans celebrate on western Sydney streets after the game where their team was pipped in the semi-final
Tongan fans young and old were taking part in the partying on the streets which ran into the night
Fans wore red clothing, had facepaint and waved flags during the celebrations on the street