“It’s my dream to play with the France team. » Tevita Tatafu's dream will come true this Saturday, November 9 (9:10 p.m.) during the test match against Japan to open the fall tour. A young 22-year-old Tongan player and right pillar of Aviron Bayonnais since 2019, he will start on the front row alongside Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka and Toulon left pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros. Here's what you need to know about him.
Appointed successor of Uini Atonius
At 22 years old, this very massive right pillar is the designated successor of Uini Atonio (34 years old), preserved by the staff of the XV of France due to a calf injury contracted during the Top 14 match with Stade Rochelais against Montpellier at the end of October. The co-coach of the conquest Laurent Sempéré even dares to compare the two players: “They have great similarities, especially in melee. Like Uini, he works a lot. They are both large carcasses, but very technical. »
Just selectable
Tatafu does not discover Marcoussis since last June, Fabien Galthié had already summoned him for a preparation course for the summer tour in Argentina, which turned sour. The original Tongan had not been on the trip as he had not yet reached the five years of residence in France, which are required to be selectable.
An impressive physical transformation
During this famous tour, he weighed 158 kg, according to William Servat, the forwards coach of the XV of France. Today, he lost almost 20 after intensive work. A physical transformation that allows him “to maintain its phenomenal power, particularly in melee”estimates William Servat in an interview given to Olympic Midday. “We work a lot with him to develop his physical condition, so that he is able to multiply tasks”continues Laurent Sempéré.
His cousin has the same first and last name
Not one but two Tevita Tatafus will be on the scoresheet for this France – Japan. Opposite the Bayonne right pillar, who will take his first steps in Blue, his cousin and namesake… Tevita Tatafu, Japanese international. Little chance of getting lost since the third center line at Union Bordeaux-Bègles will be on the bench at kick-off.
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A future on hold
A time insistently announced in Bordeaux-Bègles, an administrative imbroglio prevents the deal from being made. Tatafu had first given his verbal agreement to join Gironde before retracting and then changing agent. According to South WestAviron Bayonnais, with whom he is linked until 2026, tried to remove a clause which makes the buyout of the contract (€500,000) null and void. This clause would ultimately have been maintained according to Rugby Rama, after the failure of negotiations between Bayonne and Tatafu for him to extend. The future of Tevita Tatafu could therefore be written elsewhere than in the Basque Country.
