As part of the National Rugby World Cup Campaign, the Tonga Visitors Bureau and Tourism private sector partnered to run a campaign targeting the estimated 90,000 rugby fans who would follow their national teams from Europe, UK, and the USA, to New Zealand, with the aim of promoting a visit to Rugby-Mad Tonga. The winner of the competition was Canadian Andrew Joachim, a “Tonga-phile” and previous resident of the Kingdom.

Andrew’s prize for submitting a short film about his rugby obsession was an all-expenses paid trip to Tonga. Arriving last night, Andrew will travel to Vava’u this afternoon to begin his next adventure in the Friendly Islands. Timing his trip with the Vava’u Regatta Festival, Andrew will participate in activities at the Festival, go whale watching and enjoy the atmosphere. Andrew will stay at the best resorts in Tonga including Fafa Island, Liku’alofa and Little Italy in Tongatapu and the Tonga Beach Resort in Vava’u. In support of the campaign, Chathams Pacific provided the return flight to Vava’u.

Of course, Andrew will be the special guest at the Billfish Restaurant & Bar, for the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony and the first game of the World Cup, the much-anticipated match between Tonga and the All Blacks, scheduled for Friday, 9th September.