Cancer survivor, roofer and 24st prop inspire Tonga
England’s opponents are motivated by pride and not cash, writes Daniel Schofield in Sapporo
The Tongan team who will face England tomorrow have a cast list so improbable that Richard Curtis would consider it slightly hackneyed. There is a cancer survivor, a hooker who went from tiling roofs to facing the All Blacks in the space of a couple of weeks, and a prop so gargantuan that he looks like he should be wrestling Godzilla across the Sapporo skyscrapers. What binds them all together is a willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes to represent the Ikale Tahi. As Cooper Vuna, who starts at centre tomorrow, says: “We are a poor nation but we have big hearts.”
Certainly, there is no £25,000 match fee dangling as an extra incentive as there is for their opponents. Squad members will receive £800 a week during the World Cup but many will end up out of pocket. Ben Tameifuna, who at a smidge under 24st is the heaviest player in the tournament, will have a considerable portion of his estimated £200,000-a-year wages deducted by his club side, Racing 92, while he is in Japan.
“That is the sacrifice I am willing to make for my country,” Tameifuna says. “These opportunities do not come every year. We are here to make a difference. Our team goal is to inspire young Tongan players. Maybe it is not all about money, it is what you believe in.” Tameifuna, incidentally, will be wearing an XXXXXL shirt against England.
Hoping to come off the bench is No8 Nasi Manu, who missed all of last season for Benetton Treviso as he was undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer. “I had tears just then,” Manu says. “I don’t think anybody knows just how much I have been through to get here. Not only the surgery and chemotherapy, but also the physical battle to get myself in good enough shape.”
Sitting alongside him tomorrow will be Siua Maile, who was scouted playing amateur rugby by the Tongan coaches on Facebook after an injury crisis at hooker and was suddenly thrust into the starting XV to face New Zealand. “He is a fascinating story,” Toutai Kefu, the head coach, says. “Four to six weeks ago he is tiling roofs and then he is starting against the All Blacks.”
There is a smattering of Premiership experience in the form of Sione Kalamafoni and captain Siale Piutau, although they are missing two of their leading lights in Steve Mafi and Telusa Veainu to injury. Filling the gaps are an assortment of semiprofessional or amateur players including openside flanker Zane Kapeli, who works as a builder while playing club rugby in New Zealand. Other players hail from club teams as far flung as El Salvador in Spain, Austin in Texas as well as Doncaster and Coventry.
“The boys have different backgrounds,” Vuna says. “Some come from 9-5 jobs. It is more for us to get together and share our experiences, as much as trying to create a story together. We want everyone to be as professional as we can. We know it can be hard as it is never a professional environment. We know our struggles but we fight as a team.”
None of the team are looking for sympathy in relaying their individual stories. The Tongans are incredibly proud of their culture and of their history of never being colonised. Where they require assistance is in attracting more players from their far-flung diaspora to the national cause.
After previously representing Australia, Vuna played in an Olympic sevens qualifying event to
enable him to now play for Tonga. “I would say it is the best move I have done,” Vuna says. “Being in the Tongan uniform is something that is beyond my thoughts.”
Like a born-again missionary, Vuna is seeking further converts and has his sights set on the Vunipola brothers. “I do mention it to every Tongan that puts on a different jersey and it is something they could look at in the future and see if they want to give back to their heritage,” Vuna says. “There are a lot of players who want to give back to their communities on the islands. I have tried to push it with Toby Faletau after his Welsh duties. Hopefully he comes over and gives a bit for us.”