Wing Anzelo Tuitavuki just dropped an absolute bomb on the United Rugby Championship, making an impressive debut for the Dragons in their round one draw against Benetton, and let me tell you, this guy means business. His arrival, joining centres Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea, is keeping Gwent’s Tongan tradition alive and bringing some serious firepower to the Rodney Parade club as they gear up for a derby clash against Scarlets on Saturday.
This Trio Ain’t Just About Tradition, It’s About Tonga’s World Cup Hopes
Inisi and Paea are already in their second seasons with the Dragons, but Tuitavuki’s summer signing is the game-changer everyone needed to see. In that Benetton match, the dude had nine carries for 48 metres, sparked a move for Tinus de Beer’s try with a powerful charge, and then set up Inisi’s score with an offload while drawing three defenders. Yeah, three defenders! He’s not messing around. Tuitavuki himself said he’ll “bring physicality to add value in attack and defence” and hopes to “give a good balance, with some crash balls” to all the “rapid boys” on the team. That’s the kind of talk you love to hear from a new signing.
This isn’t just about club success, though. These three have bigger goals on the horizon: they are all hoping to make Tonga’s squad for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Imagine that. They are eyeing group stage matchups against Wales, England, and Zimbabwe. That’s some serious motivation right there, and it means every single game, including this Saturday’s derby against Scarlets, is a chance to prove they belong on that global stage. Inisi and Tuitavuki are making their second starts of the current campaign against Scarlets, with Paea hoping for his second outing off the bench.
The Tongan Embassy Is Alive and Kicking in Newport
The support network for these guys is unreal, too. There’s a deep Tongan community in Gwent, so much so that a house at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park was affectionately known as “The Tongan Embassy.” This isn’t just some new thing, either. Wales and Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau, whose dad Kuli was a former Tonga forward who joined Ebbw Vale back in 1997 with Josh Taumalolo, is part of this legacy. Players like Fe’ao Vunipola, Kati and Sione Tuipulotu, Salesi Finau, Maama Molitika, and Uiniati Moa have all built this strong community, which is crucial for guys like Inisi, Paea, and Tuitavuki.
Tuitavuki, who arrived in Wales with his wife Lupe after two years in France, soaking up “a good lifestyle, and good wine as well,” has been totally welcomed. He’s found a home at the Pontnewyndd Methodist Church. He said it “100% helps” feeling like home being around the Tongan community. The move happened fast, he said, but getting in touch with Paea and Inisi made him “excited and keen to come.” That tight bond is real. It even helped Inisi have an impressive first season after joining from Moana Pasifika. Paea, on the other hand, had a tougher go last season, breaking his right forearm in a formidable debut against Sharks after signing from Zebre, which definitely led to a frustrating campaign. But with Tuitavuki now in the mix, and Paea hopefully getting more run, this trio is ready to make some noise.
So, get ready for Saturday, folks. The Dragons are facing Scarlets in Newport, and you know Inisi, Paea, and especially Tuitavuki are going to be out there fighting for every inch, not just for the team, but for that shot at the 2027 World Cup. It’s going to be electric.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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