France's Mauvaka an example for New Caledonian youth

At the URC Dumbea rugby club in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia, France hooker Peato Mauvaka is an inspiration to the youth.

The 26-year-old, who will start for Les Bleus in Thursday's World Cup match against Namibia, made a name for himself on the international stage in November 2021 when he scored two tries in France's stunning 40-25 victory over New Zealand.

On the URC Dumbea training ground, young Caledonians toss oval-shaped balls around, dreaming of one day following in Mauvaka's footsteps.

Like most of those young players at the club in a sprawling suburb of the capital Noumea, Mauvaka is from the minority Wallisian and Futunan community on New Caledonia.

"Ninety per cent of our players are Wallisian or Futunan," Taofifenua Falatea, Dumbea's president, told AFP on an August winter night.

"Here, rugby is a form of emancipation."

The Wallis and Futuna archipelago is another French Pacific territory and the community makes up around eight per cent of the population of New Caledonia.

Mauvaka is not the only player from the community to have been called up for France's World Cup squad.

Falatea's brother and son, prop Sipili Falatea and centre Yoram Moefana – the first uncle-nephew combination in the same France set-up – are also in the 33-man tournament squad.

🔥 Un 8⃣e essai international pour Peato Mauvaka ! 👏#FRAvURU #UnisPourUnRêve #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/FDXu6tszEG

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 14, 2023

'IN THE LIMELIGHT'

Those three are part of a trailblazing generation that since the early 2000s has paved the way for future talents to carve out a rugby career on France's mainland.

"We have real potential," said 'Tao' Falatea.

Over the years, 15 URC Dumbea players have moved to the mainland to take up a professional rugby contract.

That is out of 220 club members and despite the first team playing in the French regional system around 10 divisions below the Top 14.

"Peato's success has put us in the limelight, we won't lie about it, but the work had been going on for a long time before that and we plan on continuing to do so," said Falatea.

There are 1 100 registered rugby players in New Caledonia with authorities aiming to grow that number to 2 000.

But to do so "the sport needs to open up to other communities, then we could really do something special," said Falatea.

Young players at URC lack opponents to play against, though.

"Potential on its own doesn't lead to much, especially given how far away we are (from mainland France)," said Patrick Larget, the URC vice-president who is also in charge of its youth set-up.

"It's difficult for (professional) teams to come here and watch our players."

TRAILBLAZER

URC long enjoyed a partnership with France's most successful club, Toulouse – where Mauvaka plies his trade – but have since associated with Clermont.

It allows them to maintain a link with the mainland while also providing training for its coaches.

"We've really focused on the youth set-up, it's what allows us now to look further ahead," said Larget.

The World Cup effect should help bolster the club's membership.

Mauvaka's personal exploits will also have a major impact.

"Do you know many players that have scored two tries in the same match against the All Blacks," said one proud volunteer at the club.

Mauvaka has not been back to his homeland since just before that match in November 2021.

But his presence can be felt nonetheless in the form of two of his framed jerseys hanging in the clubhouse – one from Toulouse and the other the French national jersey.

He has shown the way, and the URC club dreams of others following in his footsteps.