Tahiti national rugby union team


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 just 12 games to date, four against the Cook Islands and three 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. 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.

Overall

are currently ranked 85th on the World Rugby Rankings table.

World Cup

Squad

Squad to 2017 Oceania Rugby Cup:

Forwards
  • Tunui Anania
  • Angus Charles
  • David Lahille
  • Taitearii Mahuru
  • Torea Morou
  • Manuarii Richmond
  • Martin Taeae
  • Loic Tautu
  • Léhi Tematafaarere
  • Haley Teuira
  • Patrick Tevero
  • Brandon Tihata
  • Andrew Vanaa
Backs
  • Guillaume Brouqui
  • Ganaham Huuti
  • Andoni Jimenez
  • Cedric Martin
  • Tamahao Opeta
  • Vincent Perez
  • Mathieu Taulelle
  • Jean Tautu
  • James Tekurio
  • Teariki Wong Sung

Notable players

Vakatini Atuahiva 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 to celebrate Bastille Day in Papeete on 14 July 1981: