The Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT) team has returned to Tonga from the League World Cup in Australia for days packed with celebration.
The team, which made it to the semi finals but lost against the Kiwis, will be in the Kingdom until Saturday.
Arriving yesterday afternoon, some of the players having never been to Tonga were overwhelmed with the rapturous welcome. Hundreds of people lined the roads to celebrate their team arrival.
Hundreds of people turned out to celebrate, and welcome the team home from the League World Cup in Australia. (Source: Supplied)
At a breakfast this morning hosted by the Tongan Government and the Australian High Commission, Acting Prime Minister Dr Viliami Latu said while the final score against the Kiwis may not have been what had been hoped for, they return with the respect of the Tongan people.
"When you take the field wearing the national jersey you carry more than the responsibility of competing in a sporting tournament you carry the identity aspirations and pride of the Kingdom of Tonga... you choose Tonga instead of money offered to you... you brought Tongans together from all walks of life... you brought a nation together as one," he said.
His words were echoed by Tongan Rugby League board member Viliami Takau, who said the players knew that wearing the red jersey came at a cost.
"Time away from families, opportunities passed up, sacrifices that many people will never see. But when the time came to choose, you chose Tonga. You choose your people, your heritage, and the flag that represents us all and that is something no scoreboard can ever measure."
He paid tribute to the fans around the world, and thanked the supporters "our red sea" saying they had reminded everyone "our greatest strength has always been our people — the boys carry Tonga on their jerseys but the red sea carry Tonga in their hearts".
Takau said that the next world cup in the USA — and possibly Hawaii — would present an opportunity to build on what MMT have achieved.
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"But the journey starts here at home in our villages, schools, local rugby clubs. Our responsibility is to make sure the dreams of these players who have inspired do not end when the final whistle blows."
The International Rugby League board has endorsed Tonga and Samoa's status to go up from Tier 2 to Men's Tier 1, given their performances on field with both teams reaching the semi-finals.
Player Isaia Katoa said while they didn't achieve what they had hoped for, they were determined to work hard to bring the cup home one day.
He said the team was excited to be back because they knew how important it was to connect with family and the people of Tonga.
MMT would be travel to Pangaimotu Island for some rest and relaxation today, before a team family day on Thursday and an audience with the Crown Prince along with a team appreciation float day on Friday.
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