Pacific is washing in waves of talent

WHILE many T1 nations continue to plunder the South Pacific, it might be timely to highlight France’s increasingly fruitful rugby relationship with their French Pacific territories and collectives, not least Wallis and Fortuna, a tiny island group with a population of 12,000 close to New Caledonia which is also a former French territory and now a collectivity as well.

Essentially, they are as French as Paris. Inhabitants vote for representatives in French elections and enjoy the full rights of French citizens over 12,000 miles away. No dodgy grandparents or three years residency required. The islands are also represented at committee level in the French Federation.

Saracens and France hooker Christopher Tolufua, alas injured this week, is from Wallis and Fortuna as is veteran Toulon and France lock Jocelino Suto. La Rochelle and France prop Vincent Pelo is from the island as is the former Racing prop Mikaele Tuugahala. Then there is Sebastien Taofifenna, the 21stone Bodeaux-Begles prop and his brother Romain Taofifenna the Toulon and France back five forward. Their father is the formidable Wallis Islander Willy Taofifenna who used to terrorise the old French Championship in the infamous Grenoble pack.

And let’s not forget Stade Francais and France flanker Raphaël Lakafia and his brother Pierre who starred in the French Sevens – both are sons of Wallis Islander and former France javelin champion Jean Pual Lakafia. Talking of javelin throwers from Wallis Island, Marika Fiafialoto was another French champion and she is the mother of Toulouse and France centre Yann David.

And then there are the big guys from just across the water in New Caledonia including Clermont and France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina and the former Montpellier and France A second row Aliki Fakate, another man mountain.