Ben Tameifuna, the 25-stone prop and captain of Tonga’s national rugby team, recently reflected on Bordeaux Bègles’ celebrations following their second consecutive European Champions Cup victory in May, as well as the team’s prospects for both club and international rugby. Bordeaux claimed the title with a 41-19 victory over Leinster in Bilbao, a match where the French side held a record 35-7 lead at halftime. Tameifuna entered the game late but was instrumental in the final stages.
The celebrations that followed lasted three days and featured exuberant displays, including Tameifuna donning a burgundy beret, adding a second star to his Bordeaux tattoo, and parading the trophies through the streets of Bordeaux. He recounted episodes of smoking cigars, drinking champagne, cycling around town with a boom-box and the trophies, and even crashing a sidecar into his own car. The revelry included interactions with fans and officials, such as a parade and visit to the mayor’s office, highlighting the strong local support.
Despite their European success, Bordeaux’s domestic form last season was less consistent, finishing eighth in the Top 14 and narrowly missing out on the play-off barrage. They begin the current Champions Cup campaign against Gloucester at Kingsholm, aiming for a historic three-peat. If successful, Bordeaux would join Toulon as the only clubs to have won the tournament three consecutive times, a feat achieved in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Tameifuna, who will play as a tight-head lock in the absence of injured fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, described the potential third title as a career highlight alongside his previous back-to-back Super Rugby wins with the Chiefs.
Tameifuna highlighted the increased squad depth this season, particularly noting the return of England’s Tom Willis. Willis, who played for Bordeaux during the 2022-23 season after Wasps went bankrupt, has made a strong impression in the Top 14 with the highest number of gain-line carries among back-row forwards. Tameifuna praised Willis’s maturity and adaptation to French rugby culture since rejoining the team.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Tameifuna expressed relief that the Willis brothers, Tom and Jack, who play for England, will be in Tonga’s group alongside Wales and Zimbabwe, but won’t face them simultaneously. As Tonga’s captain, he also welcomed the possibility of acquiring the Vunipola brothers—Billy and Mako—who became eligible to represent Tonga this year after their last appearances for England in 2023. While Billy Vunipola reportedly does not wish to displace others for World Cup selection, Tameifuna sees significant value in their experience and has expressed a desire to include them.
Tameifuna is realistic about Tonga’s prospects in the international arena. Although his team competes regularly in the Nations Cup—a second-tier competition managed by World Rugby—they face challenges in accessing frequent top-tier fixtures that would better prepare them for the World Cup. Tonga will face Romania, Georgia, and Hong Kong in November, following mixed results over the summer, which included a win against Zimbabwe and losses to Spain and Portugal. Tameifuna acknowledged the disparities in resources and preparations compared to Tier One nations, noting differences in facilities, schedules, and team cohesion.
Back at Bordeaux, the team is recognized for its fast-paced, high-skill style, with notable players such as Maxime Lucu, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Damian Penaud, and Salesi Rayasi contributing to their dynamic attack. Tameifuna emphasized that the flair displayed in matches mirrors their training ethos, driven by coaches who encourage creativity and speed.
Overall, Tameifuna’s dual roles at Bordeaux and with Tonga reflect both the vibrant culture within club rugby and the ongoing challenge for emerging international teams seeking to compete at the highest level.