Bayonne prop Tevita Tatafu (22) will make his first appearance for the French national team this Saturday against Japan at the Stade de France (9:10pm). We take a closer look at this Tongan-born player, who could make a name for himself in the blue jersey.
His namesake, but not his cousin, plays in the Top 14
This Saturday against Japan, Tevita Tatafu will cross paths with… Tevita Tatafu. The Bayonne prop has a namesake in Top 14 and at the international level, answering to the same name and surname, but evolving on the side of theUBB. The latter plays as a third-row center, but for the Japanese national team… Japan and will start the match on the bench on Saturday evening. Looking for a family link between the two Tevita Tatafu? Well, contrary to what has been said and written, the two colossi are not cousins. “No, he’s not my cousin. We have the same name but we’re not related.”explained the Union Bordeaux-Bègles player.
Of Tongan origin
The Bayonne powerhouse was born on October 13, 2002 in Nuku’alofa (the capital of Tonga), before moving to Eua, the oldest volcanic island in the Pacific archipelago. He received a traditional education while playing rugby and working – the hard way – with his father in the fields. Tatafu, who grew up alongside his seven sisters and two brothers, lived on the small archipelago until October 2019, when he settled on the Basque coast.
One of his uncles also plays in the French league
His arrival was facilitated by the presence in France of his uncle, Toma’akino Taufa, a UBB player who also played for Tarbes, Grenoble and above all Bayonne. Toma’akino Taufa, also a pillar of the UBB, helped bring him to France. “I was spotted at a tournament in Auckland. Two New Zealand clubs were interested in me, as well as another Japanese club. But I got a call from my uncle Toma (Taufa, Editor’s note) who played in Bayonne and showed videos of me to Yannick Bru (coach of the Basque club at the time, editor’s note).“he explained to L’Équipe .
An impressive but necessary weight loss
Tevita Tatafu is also the story of a player who had to make physical efforts and sacrifices. In an interview with Midi Olympique XV de France forwards coach William Servat spoke of the 22-year-old’s transformation. “Last June, when Tevita joined us to prepare for the Argentina tour, he weighed 158 kilos. Yesterday (Friday), he was at 140 kilos, while retaining his phenomenal power, particularly in the scrum. […] In just a few months, he became aware of the demands of the international level. It’s been a process of co-construction with his club, Bayonne. “I’d like to lose some more to get down to 135 kg”.he added to L’Équipe.
His father always wanted him to play for Les Bleus
During the Covid period, shortly after his arrival in France, Tevita Tatafu was in regular contact with his parents. “Promise me you’ll do everything to play for France!”said his father, Ma’u He’Ofa, a fan of Uini Atonio, the massive Samoan-born prop for Stade Rochelais and the French national team. Today, his dream has come true. For the first time in his career, the young Bayonne right-back will play for the Stade de France against Japan. Until November 2024, he could not be selected by Fabien Galthié because he had not yet accumulated the five years of residence in France required by World Rugby to play for a country other than his own.