Pasifika pride finds a home at Rugby League World Cup: 'Passion brings us together'

Fans in western Sydney are turning the Rugby League World Cup into a local community event as multiple home nations compete. In Auburn, the Tongan congregation at Harold Wood Uniting Church—revitalized in 1997—welcomed Viliame and Talita Latu for their first Sunday service as a married couple, even as Tonga’s Mate Ma’a Tonga beat Lebanon’s Cedars before more than 25,000 fans at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta on Friday. The couple had their wedding day during the match, making it difficult to watch. The tournament has already delivered moments, including Australia’s 24-22 win over New Zealand and Tonga’s first-ever victory over England. Ticket demand surged, forcing organisers to reject shifting a Tonga-Samoa game due to booked concerts, so supporters lean into off-field events and marches for teams.