Hours before Toa Samoa kicked off its 2023 Pacific Championship campaign, motorists from Aiga I le Tai did a vehicle parade on Upolu's west coast in support of the national team.

The parade led by local car enthusiasts started from the Manono-Uta and to Falelatai and Fasitoo-Uta with vehicles as well as bus drivers and passengers waving their flags attracting crowds of people to line the road last Saturday evening. 

The head of the Ridemahlane Car Club in Manono-Uta, Tipo Tuigao told Samoa Observer that it was not the first time they held a parade in support of Samoa's national rugby league team or Toa Samoa. 

He added that even the spike in fuel prices for this month won't stop them from getting out to show their support through a parade. 

“Our support for Toa Samoa and Manu Samoa has always been there and through this parade, we are hoping to show the teams that their people are behind them,” he said.“Regardless of what the result may be, our support and belief will always be there for our boys.

“It is nice to see people come out and cheer along with us and seeing them have fun gives us joy knowing that we are able to put smiles on their faces as well. We understand the prices of fuel have gone up pretty high but it won’t stop us.

"Physical support is important but mental support is also very important and we all have seen how our boys put Samoa on the map last year [during the Rugby League World Cup] and we all felt proud so they deserve our ongoing support."

The vehicle parade organised by the Ridemahlane Car Club comprised eight vehicles including a bus and their goal was to showcase their support for the Toa Samoa during the 2023 Pacific Championship.

Toa Samoa lost their opening match last Saturday evening against the Australian Kangaroos, going down 38-12 at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Australia. Their next match is against the New Zealand Kiwis this Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand kicking off at 6 pm (Apia Time). 

Most of the motorists who participated in the parade are mechanics from Manono-Uta who have also participated in the national car shows held every year.