Telusa Veainu was far away when he watched Tonga’s Rugby World Cup upset win over France in 2011, even though he was in New Zealand.
Far away from international rugby, far from becoming one of the stars of the team.
“I was in New Zealand, at my cousin’s house. The whole family was glued to it and it inspired a lot of people,” Veainu said.
“I didn’t think I was good enough at the time to become an international, and even in 2015 I didn’t really have anything contract-wise before Tonga threw me a lifeline.”
Tonga won that match 19-14 in one of the competition’s biggest upsets.
The setback did the French a lot of good, though. From the humiliation of being torn apart by their unhappy media they went to reach the final and only just lost, 8-7 to the All Blacks in a nerve-shredder at Eden Park.
Having cheered the Tongans on television on that day eight years ago, Veainu can have a crack at the French for real in Sunday’s Pool C encounter and he’ll be buoyed by the two tries he scored in the 28-12 loss to Argentina.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge. Like Argentina. I think (France) will be trying to move the ball around,” said Veainu.
Tonga lost their tournament opener to England 35-3, but it wasn’t entirely lopsided and the manner in which they rallied back from 28-0 down against Argentina was encouraging.
Keen to keep that momentum going, head coach Toutai Kefu has made only two changes for the match at Kumamoto Stadium.
Tighthead prop Ma’afu Fia replaces Ben Tameifuna and Cooper Vuna, who played two test matches for Australia in 2012, comes in for Viliami Lolohea on the right wing.
France, meanwhile, can maintain their unblemished record in always reaching the Rugby World Cup knockout round with a win before playing England on October 12.
Coach Jacques Brunel has made several changes after the 33-9 victory over the USA on Wednesday with the England game in mind, while fullback Thomas Ramos and hooker Peato Mauvaka have suffered tournament-ending injuries.
France had already had winger Wesley Fofana and prop Demba Bamba ruled out of the World Cup by injuries.
France: Maxime Medard, Damian Penaud, Virimi Vakatawa, Sofiane Guitoune, Alivereti Raka, Romain Ntamack, Baptiste Serin; Gregorie Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Gabrillagues, Rabah Slimani, Camille Chat, Jefferson Poirot (capt). Res: Guilhem Guirado, Cyril Baille, Emerick Setiano, Bernard Le Roux, Yacouba Camara, Antoine Dupont, Camille Lopez, Pierre-Louis Barassi.
Tonga: Telusa Veainu, Cooper Vuna, Malietoa Hingano, Siale Piutau (capt), David Halaifonua, James Faiva, Sonatane Takulua; Maama Vaipulu, Zane Kapeli, Sione Kalamafoni, Leva Fifita, Sam Lousi, Ma’afu Fia, Paula Ngauamo, Siegfried Fisiihoi. Res: Sosefo Sakalia, Vunipola Fifita, Siua Halanukonuka, Sitiveni Mafi, Nasi Manu, Leon Fukofuka, Latiume Fosita, Atieli Pakalani.