Car clubs in Savai'i on Sunday congregated to join a parade in support of the Toa Samoa national team, which takes on France early Monday morning in the Rugby League World Cup.

Organised by the Street Outlaws Car Syndicate Savaii, the club's President Eric Ah Chee invited all car clubs on the island as well as those who wanted to be a part of this support group to join the parade.

Savai'i resident Neil Tiatia said the parade was still happening as late as 8pm on Sunday night as many people including children were in the cars or walking by the vehicles to show their support for Toa Samoa.

He said there was singing and music played as people waved Samoan flags or attached them to their vehicles and estimated that there were more than 30 vehicles in the parade. 

"It was an awesome turnout with more than 30-plus cars who turned up. This included other Savai'i clubs such as VVB (Vea Vao Boys) Car Club, Tamauli Car Club, Jaynia Taxi stand, Shine Taxi Stand, Tagiilima Taxi Stand," Mr. Tiatia said. 

He added that the organiser of the parade had posted his call for support on social media so it immediately got the attention of everyone on the big island as well as overseas. 

Asked for his inspiration to participate in such a parade, Eric Ah Chee told the Samoa Observer that Samoans are usually patriotic.

"Samoans are mostly patriotic, and this is a great way to show support to our Toa team as Samoans also believe the old proverb, " E lē sili le ta'i nai lo le tapua'i " (the support is just as important as the people striving)," he said. 

Toa Samoa takes on France in their third and final group stage match on Sunday in the United Kingdom (Monday 6am Samoa local time). A win will see the Samoan national team progress to the quarterfinals, while a loss will see the star-studded side bundled out of the Rugby League World Cup in England.