Tonga, weight loss, namesake… 5 things to know about Tevita Tatafu, new attraction of the French XV

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 pillar indeed has a namesake in the Top 14 and at international level, answering to the same name and the same first name, but playing on the UBB side. The latter plays as a third-line center but plays for the selection of… Japan and will start the match on the bench Saturday evening. Are you looking for a relationship 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 are not related”explained the Union Bordeaux-Bègles player.

Of Tongan origin

The powerful Bayonnais was born on October 13, 2002 in Nuku'alofa (the capital of Tonga), before joining Eua, the oldest volcanic island in the Pacific archipelago. He followed traditional studies 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 before settling down on the Basque coast.

One of his uncles also plays in the French championship

His arrival was facilitated by the presence in France of his uncle, Toma'akino Taufa, a UBB player who played for Tarbes, Grenoble and especially Bayonne. The latter, also a pillar, 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 (Official, NDLR) who played in Bayonne and had shown videos of me to Yannick Bru (coach of the Basque club at that time, Editor’s note)»he explained to The Team .

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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 given to Olympic Midday the forwards coach of the French XV, William Servat, spoke about the transformation of the 22-year-old player. “Last June, when Tevita joined us to prepare for the Argentina tour, he weighed 158 kilos. Yesterday (Friday), he weighed 140 kilos, while retaining his phenomenal power, especially in melee. […] He became aware, in a few months, of the requirements at the international level. It was a work of co-construction with his Bayonne club.” “I would like to lose more to get down to 135 kg”added the person concerned The Team.

His father always dreamed of him playing for the Blues

During the Covid period, shortly after her arrival in France, Tevita Tatafu spoke regularly with her parents. “Promise me you’ll do everything to play for France!”his father, Ma'u He'Ofa, a fan of Uini Atonio, the massive pillar of Samoan origin of Stade Rochelais and the XV of France, told him. His dream is now fulfilled. The young right pillar of Bayonne will set foot on the pitch at the Stade de France for the first time in his career in the blue jersey against the red bench against Japan. Until November 2024, he could not be selected by Fabien Galthié because he had not yet completed the five years of residence in France, a condition imposed by World Rugby to play for a country other than his own.