The Agen and Tonga hooker talks food, faith and funny men

HEN WE asked the Tonga management who would be the best player in the squad to partake in our offbeat Q&A, they immediately suggested Paula Ngauamo – and we weren’t disappointed. The hooker, who scored his inaugural Test try as Tonga beat Fiji for the first time in seven years this summer, was quick with the one-liners and sarcasm…

WWho are the jokers in the Tonga team? Ziggy (Siegfried Fisiihoi) and Siua (Halanukonuka). They’re always back-stabbing! As soon as I leave the room, I can feel the knives in my back. Things aren’t easy for them; it’s how they vent their problems, by back-stabbing and gossiping.

Do you have any phobias?

Nothing. Tongans aren’t scared of anything. We’re fearless. What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen or heard on the pitch?

Sione Fifita kept dropping balls in training and said it wouldn’t happen in the games, then he dropped three balls in a Test (against Georgia in the Pacific Nations Cup). It was funny but shouldn’t be funny. We’ve not talked to him since! Your most embarrassing moment? I don’t get embarrassed. What annoys you? The Tongan fitness guys are always watching YouTube and then that’s our programme for the next day. There’s not much studying behind what they’re doing. Who’s the best dancer in the Tonga squad? Me – by a mile. I can dance. Nasi Manu is pretty bad. I’m probably up there with the singing too. Nasi and I grew up together in New Zealand. We’re second cousins and have known each other since high school. He’d eat all my food. It’s funny looking back.

Who’s in charge of the team music? Cooper Vuna. But he’s a bit older than us. I think he was born in 1963 and he plays a lot of Willie Nelson and The Beatles. I like a bit of country but it’s a bit much for a lot of the young guys. It goes a bit far back. More reggae would be good. Who’s the tightest?

David Halaifonua. He never buys anything and he’s played for Gloucester for four years.

If you could be one of your team-mates, who would it be and why?

Kurt Morath. He takes care of the fines and always takes all the money – we never

“The silliest thing I’ve ever bought?

A salad”