Tonga will have no shortage of supporters when they take on the Kiwis, judging by the scenes at Auckland Airport early Tuesday morning.

The Tongan Rugby League World Cup squad arrived from Australia to a sea of red with One News reporting that about 2000 fans greeted them in the arrivals area.

The players soaked up the colourful atmosphere as they were greeted with singing and dancing, while a junior Tonga team performed the Sipi Tau, in which the senior side responded.

Boosted by the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, who turned down New Zealand and Australia respectively to play for their country of origin, Tonga are seen as an outside chance to make the World Cup final.

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And they made an impressive start to their campaign on Sunday with a 50-4 victory over Scotland in Cairns.

Tonga play traditional rivals Samoa in Hamilton on Saturday before the crunch clash against the Kiwis a week later at the same venue.

Tongan fans will have another chance to mingle with the squad on Tuesday during a signing session at the Otahuhu Rugby League Club in Auckland from 3pm.