How funny it is, when you think about it, to think that on Saturday, Tevita Tatafu will celebrate his first cape with the Blues, as the designated successor to Uini Atonio. That is 10 years almost to the day after the debut of Winnie, who wore the rooster jersey for the first time during the opening of the 2014 fall tour, against Fijdi.
XV of France. Dupont-Ramos at the helm, Moefana and Gailleton in the center, Tatafu for a first!
Two men from the Pacific, two exceptional physiques, and the same position of right pillar for which one is a reference, the other a great hope.
Tatafu and its namesake
Let it be said, Tevita Tatafu's first selection this Saturday evening will be a small event. Already because the Tongan of origin and his extraordinary physique are an attraction as such for French rugby, but also because he will face his cousin there.
A rarity which is nevertheless not a first, since at the international level, Sonny Bill and Tim Nanai-Williams had, for example, already crossed paths, in 2017. On the other hand, facing his namesake at the same time is a standout, to our knowledge , single case. Since the Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu will therefore meet the Bordeaux and Japanese international Tevita Tatafu, for the opening of this November tour.
XV of France. The player to fear on the Japanese side: Tevita Tatafu, this furious little bull
Far, very far from the South Pacific island where they come from, the right pillar and the number 8 should cross paths on the pitch this Saturday evening at the Stade de France. And this if the Habs have the funds to last a little more than one half at international level, when the Japanese – replacing at kick-off – should make his entry onto the field.
For the anecdote, the two powerful chickens (140kg for the pillar, 126 for number 8!) had already faced each other in the Top 14 this season, twice. And each time, it was the Japanese who won under the colors of the UBB. Let's hope this time that the result is completely different for the 22-year-old pillar, who will nevertheless be the favorite.
Because faced with a Japanese team in decline and 14th in the world rankings, the Blues must win whatever happens and ramp up in preparation for the visit of New Zealand the following weekend. Who just passed 60 points to the Asians two weeks ago, with a reshuffled team. All that’s left to do, as they say…
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