Rugby World Cup 2023 – Malakai Fekitoa (Tonga): “The score reflects neither our hard work nor our level”
Former All Black, Malakai Fekitoa (31) played his first World Cup match for his native Tonga. If he regrets the proportions of the defeat against Ireland (59-16), the ex-Toulonnais remains moved to have been able to wear the colors of Ikale Tahi.
Malakai Fekitoa will not soon forget this September 16, 2023. Eight years after participating in and winning a World Cup with the All Blacks, the center was able to wear the colors of his native country in Nantes. An inevitably memorable moment: ” It is very moving, he mentioned after the match. My whole family was in the stands. It’s really cool to be back and represent my country. »
“We got a little carried away at the start of the match”
The proposed challenge, however, was too high. for the men of Toutai Kefu: “We worked very hard to prepare for this first meeting. Ireland had decided to put their best team against us. We could see that it is not for nothing that they are first in the world. They knew how to seize the opportunities that presented themselves to them. » The Tongans, with their impressive commitment, were on the contrary generous but too messy. Their aggression turned against them: “There were too many penalties conceded on our part, deplores the former Munster player who will take charge of Treviso at the end of the World Cup. We got a little carried away at the start of the match and we made too many mistakes, particularly with offsides. The discipline didn’t really help us compete. »
But Malakai Fekitoa is certain: his troops can raise their level by several notches: “We gave everything on the pitch and the score reflects neither the hard work we put in during preparation nor our level. But we are looking forward and looking forward to Scotland. »
