Tahiti national rugby union team

Last updated

Tahiti
Rugbytahiti.png
Nickname(s)Tahiti Nui XV, Aito
Union Fédération Tahitienne de Rugby
de Polynésie Française
Head coach Romi Ropati
CaptainTunui Anania
Top scorerManuarii Richmond
Top try scorerManuarii Richmond
Home stadium Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current96 (as of 23 November 2020)
First international
Flag of French Polynesia.svgTahiti 0–3 Wallis and Futuna  Flag of France.svg
(1 September 1971)
Biggest win
Flag of French Polynesia.svgTahiti 36–12 Solomon Islands  Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg
(26 August 2015)
Biggest defeat
Flag of French Polynesia.svgTahiti 9–102 Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg
(12 September 1983)

The Tahiti national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union team, representing the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. They first played in 1971 and have played numerous games to date, most against rivals Cook Islands and several against Niue. Other games have been played against Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. France played a match against Tahiti at the end of their 1979 tour and won 92–12. [1] Plans to have annual "test" match series against Pacific island neighbours, New Caledonia have been put on hold, due to time, availability, finances, and coaching and refereeing resources. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Tahiti is administered by the Fédération Tahitienne de Rugby de Polynésie Française. Currently, players who have represented or played for the Tahiti national rugby team, are eligible to represent France. However, playing at a professional level can only enable this. At present there are several Tahitian professional rugby players abroad in France's Top 14 and Pro D2 professional competition.

Contents

History

Rugby is greatly growing in popularity in Tahiti, but the national sport still remains soccer.

Rugby came to Tahiti via three separate streams, firstly, through the visits of British, New Zealand and Australian sailors; secondly, through the French presence (many of the main teams are still French military); and thirdly through contact with neighbouring Pacific islands, where the game is popular. [2]

Tahiti first played the game in 1971.

It was founded in 1989 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1994.

It is also a full member of Oceania Rugby, which is the governing body for rugby union in Oceania.

Up to 2003, Tahiti played in international rugby sevens (Pacific Games) and XV-a-side, in the qualifying rounds for the Rugby World Cup. [3]

In 2006, there were fourteen clubs in the national championship and two divisions. [3] There were also sevens competitions, women's rugby, and under-18 rugby competitions as well. [3]

In 2017 Tahiti won the Oceania Rugby Cup, beating their rivals Cook Islands at BCI Stadium in Rarotonga, Cook Islands by a score of 13–9.

Uniform and colors

Tahiti's kit are typically All red with white tribal, designs, etc. They also can be seen using a white jersey with red tribal, designs, etc. In the past they have used all white kits with red as their secondary color, and also Red jersey with the Tahitian flag colors and black shorts.

Kit providers

YearKit ManufacturerMain Shirt Sponsor
1971–1979
1979–1980
1980–1982
1982–1983
1982–1983
1983–1997
1997–2001
2001–2003
2003–2005 Flag of Germany.svg Puma
2005–2006
2006–2013
2013–2015
2015–present Flag of France.svg Sportif JRH Air Tahiti Nui

Home grounds

Tahiti have played most of their home matches at Stade Pater Te Hono Nui and Stade Fautaua.

Tahiti has also hosted matches for numerous Pacific Games and Oceania Cup. They share these venues with the Tahiti national football team and club sides from both rugby and football.

Annually Tahiti hosts the Papeete International Sevens Tournament.

Record

Oceania Cup

Tahiti competes in the Oceania Cup which is played against seven other Pacific nations: American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Tahiti has competed in the very first Oceania Cup when it was created in 1997. Since 2015, Tahiti has played 4 matches against: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, American Samoa and Cook Islands recording a record of 3 wins and 1 loss. Their only loss was to 2015 Oceania Cup Champions Papua New Guinea, and until this date, it has been their only loss since then. They placed second in the standings table and were Runner-up in the tournament. In 2017 they won the Oceania Cup beating their rival Cook Islands in the 2017 Oceania Cup Championship by a score of 9–13 in Avarua, Cook Islands.

Oceania tournaments

YearWinnerScoreRunner-upMatch venueRefs
1996*Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands round-robinFlag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea Rarotonga [4]
2002*Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 29–14
16–21
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands Port Moresby
Rarotonga
[5]
2003 Flag of Niue.svg  Niue round-robinFlag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands Auckland
Rarotonga
[6]
2004 Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 50–5Flag of Niue.svg  Niue Rarotonga [7] [8]
2005*Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 37–12
11–20
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea Rarotonga
Port Moresby
[9]
2006 The final of the 2006 FORU Cup between Vanuatu and Niue was cancelled. [10]

Oceania Cup

YearWinnerScoreRunner-upMatch venueRefs
2007 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 46–27Flag of Niue.svg  Niue Paliati, Alofi [11]
2008 Flag of Niue.svg  Niue 27–5Flags of New Caledonia.svg  New Caledonia Nouméa [12]
2009*Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 29–21Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands Port Moresby [13]
2011 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea round-robinFlag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands Port Moresby [14]
2013*Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands round-robinFlag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea Port Moresby [15]
2015 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea round-robinFlag of French Polynesia.svg  Tahiti Port Moresby [16]
2017*Flag of French Polynesia.svg  Tahiti 13–9Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands Rarotonga [17]
2019 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea round-robinFlag of Niue.svg  Niue Port Moresby [18]

Notes:

* Part of the Rugby World Cup qualification process.
† The final of the 2007 tournament was not held until April 2008. Starting from 2009, the tournament has been held biennially.

Rugby World Cup

World Cup record
YearRoundPWDLFA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1987 Not invited
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Ireland.svg Flag of France.svg 1991 did not qualify
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003
Flag of France.svg 2007
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 did not participate
Flag of England.svg 2015 did not qualify
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 Disqualified
Flag of France.svg 2023 Suspended
Total0/9

Overall

Tahiti are currently ranked 84th on the World Rugby Rankings table. [19]

AgainstPlayedWonLostDrawn
Flag of American Samoa.svg  American Samoa 1100
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 9270
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 1010
Flag of France.svg  France 2020
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1010
Flags of New Caledonia.svg  New Caledonia 1100
Flag of Niue.svg  Niue 4130
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 3030
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 1010
Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 4130
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 1010
Flag of France.svg  Wallis and Futuna 2110
Total297220

Players

Tahiti Nui XV "Aito"

Head coach: Flag of Samoa.svg Romi Ropati

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)Club
David Lahille Hooker 20 March 1990 (age 33) Flag of France.svg L'Isle-Jourdain
Martin Taeae Prop 24 July 1991 (age 32) Flag of France.svg Valence-d'Agen
Patrick Tevero Prop 2 December 1993 (age 30) Flag of France.svg La Roche-sur-Yon
Angus Chales Prop 28 November 1993 (age 30) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Pirae
Brandon Tihata Prop 29 April 1996 (age 27) Flag of France.svg Le Mans
Loic Tautu Forward 13 September 1983 (age 40) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Arue
Jean Tautu Forward 19 June 2000 (age 23) Flag of French Polynesia.svg
Torea Morou Lock 9 August 1991 (age 32) Flag of France.svg Chartres
Lehi Tematafaarere Lock 29 July 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg Chartres
Andrew Vanaa Back Row 23 December 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg Isle
Haley Teuira Flanker 16 April 1986 (age 37) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Pirae
Tunui Anania (c) Flanker 7 April 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg Valence-d'Agen
Manuarii Richmond Number 8 14 April 1988 (age 35) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Faa'a
Guillaume Brouqui Scrum-half 21 July 1985 (age 38) Flag of France.svg Trélissac
Raihau Taurei Scrum-half 28 November 1994 (age 29) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Pirae
Andoni Jimenez Fly-half 3 August 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg Nantes
Anthony Tesquet Fly-half 17 February 1986 (age 37) Flag of France.svg La Teste-de-Buch
Ganaham Huuti Back 3 October 1997 (age 26) Flag of French Polynesia.svg
Teariki Wong Sung Back 24 February 1993 (age 30) Flag of France.svg Le Mans
Tamahao Opeta Centre 29 October 1997 (age 26) Flag of French Polynesia.svg
Mathieu Taulelle Centre 23 January 1992 (age 31) Flag of Belgium (civil).svg La Hulpe
Taitearii Mahuru Centre 21 December 1989 (age 34) Flag of French Polynesia.svg Pirae
Vincent Perez Wing 17 April 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg Tournon-d'Agenais
James Tekurio Wing 5 May 1984 (age 39) Flag of France.svg Muret
Makalea Foliaki Wing 24 September 1996 (age 27) Flag of France.svg Cognac Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Jean-Teiva Jacquelain Wing 22 April 1994 (age 29) Flag of France.svg Mont-de-Marsan
François Tardieu Fullback 1 February 1995 (age 28) Flag of France.svg Valence-d'Agen
Cedric Martin Fullback 29 June 1989 (age 34) Flag of France.svg FCTT

Notable players

PlayerNotability
Jean-Teiva JacquelainPlayed for Toulon(Academy) and La Rochelle in Top 14 and Grenoble(Pro D2), currently playing with Mont-de-Marsan in Pro D2 and France 7s
Timi Frogier
Richard MapuhiPlayed for French Club Pau in Pro D2 (49 caps, 1990–1994)
Tauirai Bessert
Apolosi Foliaki
Makalea FoliakiPlayed for Toulon(Academy) in Top 14, now playing with Cognac Saint-Jean-d'Angély in Nationale, he is the son of former player Apolosi Foliaki.
Tihoti Tamarono
François TardieuPlayed for Agen(Top 14), Colomiers(Pro D2, Now plays with Valence d’agen(Fédérale 1)

Vakatini Atuahiva (JJ) Played for Counties Manukau Steeelers NZ 1982, 1991–1995: Manawatu 1984–1990 NZ:, NZ All Black Colts 1982 & 1984:

NZ Divisional XV 1993: NZ Maori All Black 1994: Cook Island 7s and XV

Guest players

These players were capped for Tahiti in an invitational match against France to celebrate Bastille Day in Papeete on 14 July 1981:

See also

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