‘More than rugby league’: Pacific community unites behind Samoa
They might not have got the job done in the decider, but the Samoan rugby league team have brought Invercargill’s already tight-knit Pacific Island community even closer together.
It was the first time Samoa, with a population of just over 200,000, had made it through to the final of the Rugby League World Cup.
They had upset England 27-26 in the semifinal seven days earlier, sparking scenes of excitement and celebration throughout the world, including in Invercargill.
Although Samoa were beaten 30-10 by Australia in Manchester yesterday, Samoan fans, and those from other Pacific Island countries for that matter, embraced the occasion.
On Saturday evening, hundreds from Invercargill’s Pacific Island community gathered at the Feldwick Gates at Queens Park.
They were welcomed by Cook Island drummers before everyone set off in their cars for a parade around the streets of the city, showcasing their support for Samoa’s World Cup quest.
They had also staged ‘‘parades’’ in Invercargill on three other occasions during the tournament.
Revelation Niue was the driving force behind the parades.
Niue moved from Samoa to Invercargill in 2014 and quickly emerged as a talented rugby league player himself. In 2015 he was named in the South Island Scorpions under-15 team.
Niue organised the parades because he believed the Samoan rugby league’s special effort at the World Cup deserved recognition.
‘‘It’s all about supporting the boys in blue, we’ve made it so far. This is history-making,’’ he said. ‘‘It means everything to us. ‘‘It’s unbelievable really. We are so proud of the boys because our team had never made it to the semifinals or a final. We were not expecting our boys to get this far, but we have faith in them.’’
He wanted to get everyone together to celebrate, and not just Samoans. Plenty of Cook
Islanders, Tongans, and Fijians showed up in support.
‘‘There’s a saying in our language, one culture is one for all of us. It’s not just about our culture, it’s about everyone now,’’ he said.
‘‘This is more than rugby league . . . It’s a pretty big message for the culture-versus-culture thing. This is what it is all about, bringing everyone together. We are one, we will never part.’’
On top of Saturday’s Feldwick Gate gathering and the following parade, a fan zone was set up at ILT Stadium Southland yesterday morning for Samoan fans to gather to watch the final against Australia.
Aiga Toomalata set about organising the fan zone for Invercargill after noticing that others were being set up throughout the country. ILT Stadium Southland general manager Nigel Skelt embraced the idea, and fans got to see the game on the big screen, for free.
‘‘This is what it is all about, bringing everyone together.’’ Revelation Niue Parades organiser