First Group Of History Makers Arrive At Faleolo
Toa Samoa Perform The Siva Tau At Faleolo Airport.
Photo: Supplied
They are finally here! The national airport at Faleolo was filled with hundreds of Toa Samoa fans and supporters as they anxiously awaited the arrival of their heroes who shook the world and made history by being the first tier two nation to make it through to the grand finale of the Rugby League World Cup.
Since the Toa Samoa’s historical Rugby League World Cup final against Australia and semifinal win over England, the Toa Samoa have become national heroes, sparking parades across the globe, and filling airports in Australia with public welcoming, and now it's Samoa's turn to welcome them home.
The team arrived on midnight Tuesday and were warmly greeted by the hundreds of supporters from all over Samoa who flocked to the Faleolo National Airport to meet their idols in person.
The remaining members of the team will arrive on on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 pm.
One of the Toa Samoa's supporters Mr. William Jensen from Faleolo stated that, "I came here with my family around 9:00 pm. We wanted to come early because I knew that there were going to be a lot of people who also want to see our boys in blue,"
"My favorite player in the team is Tim Lafai, he was not on the original team line-up but when he got the call to play he truly showed that he still has the skills," he said.
Rugby League Samoa's Head of Player Welfare affectionately called Chief Entertainment Officer (CEO) Lauaki Fereti Tuilagi, led the fans in song as the Toa Samoa.
Players are scheduled to begin departing Samoa on 2 January at 4:00 pm for New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.