Kyren on track for France

Kyren Taumoefolau could be excused for pinching himself to check that he’s not dreaming as he settles into camp as part of a high-powered Tongan national squad in Nuku’alofa.

The 20-year-old has made a dizzying ascent to the top level of world rugby and is now preparing to attend the Rugby World Cup in France, just two years after turning out for the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV as a highly-promising utility back.

His first opportunity to shine on the international stage came through sevens, being selected in the Tongan side which contested a Brisbane Oceania event last year. He immediately made an impact and progressed to the IRB World Sevens circuit in 2023, attending five tournaments.

But his attention is now fully concentrated on the 15-man game and a lengthy World Cup build-up with Ikale Tahi.

Tonga will play matches against Australia A, Canada, Fiji, Samoa and Japan prior to the World Cup, where they face a demanding fixture against Ireland first-up.

The 35-man squad will be trimmed to 33 in late July for the world rugby showpiece in September and with players the calibre of former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa, Salesi Piutau and George Moala, plus former Wallabies superstar Israel Folau, in the mix Kyren is well aware nothing can be taken for granted selection-wise.

“It is a really exciting time,” he said, suggesting that “doing the correct work behind the scenes” has played a big part in his rapid rise.

While Kyren’s physique has changed since leaving college to fit the rigours of top-level sport, he says it is a mindset change that has been the biggest shift.

“I felt I had a point to prove when I left school, probably a bit of a chip on my shoulder … I really wanted to do well so I invested in training and proper preparation, which boosted my confidence.”

“I think playing sevens also helped me a lot,” Kyren explained.

The young Waitohi club player, who took the field for Tonga in their win against a powerful Australia A side today, says he has no preference for either sevens or 15-a-side, enjoying the fact that both games require different skill sets.

“There is also different types of preparation for both … obviously sevens is more of a running game based on fitness and speed while in 15s there is more physicality, game plan and strategy.”

Kyren will be joined in the Tongan pre-World Cup squad by fellow Tasman players Sam Moli, William Havili, both Moana Pasifika players, and Crusaders' flanker Sione Havili-Taletui.