Tongan Trio representing Japan at World Rugby Pacific Challenge Featured
3 Tongans representing Japan at World Rugby Pacific Challenge tournament in Suva: Tevita Tatafu, Faulua Makisi and Feinga Fakai
10 MARCH, 2017. IT goes without saying that sports does not know barriers, nor does it have one.
It can change the world and it can break down social and cultural barriers.
The saying rings true for Tevita Tatafu, Faulua Makisi and Feinga Fakai, the Tongan trio who will be for Junior Japan in the upcoming World Rugby Pacific Challenge tournament in Suva.
Tatafu, who has been studying in Japan for the past five years alongside Makisi and Fakai, are gearing forward to the upcoming games, especially when they meet their countrymen in the tournament.
"I am happy to play for Japan and alongside those two guys (Makisi and Fakai) is really helping me to play well," Tatafu said.
"Last time I played Tonga was in 2015 when we played them in the under-20 and I am always happy to play against Tonga.
He said at first it was very difficult for him to understand the Japanese language, but as time went by, he learned to adapt to his new surroundings by learning more about the Japanese culture especially the language.
Their team manager Yumiko Sasabayashi said it was good to have the Tongans in their team.
"We have a good team and the players are blending in well," Sasabayashi said.
Japan played their first game against Samoa A today at 3pm at the ANZ Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva.
-Fiji Times
