Tongan Malakai Fekitoa on rugby in Europe, resilience, and giving back

Former All Black and Tongan rugby star Malakai Fekitoa has had a remarkable sports career, but his proudest moments extend beyond the rugby field.

The Tongan-born centre, who played 24 times for the All Blacks before representing Tonga, has experienced the highs of world rugby and life's challenges abroad.

In a special new video series, Pasifika Rugby Warriors Tackling Europe, produced by PMN News and Pacific Mornings, Fekitoa opens up about his rugby career since leaving Aotearoa.

Transition to Europe

With the 2025 Six Nations Championship underway, the series features Pacific rugby stars and coaches making their mark in European rugby at both club and international levels.

In the first episode of the series, PMN News Sports Correspondent James Nokise speaks with Fekitoa about his decision to make the move to Europe in 2017.

“Obviously, I was still very, very young back then. I think I was turning 25, and now I’m 33 in a few months,” says Fekitoa.

“I was very young and decided to leave everything behind, the dream and everything back home to come over to Europe. Obviously for rugby, and yeah, I’ve loved it here, having the time of my life, playing the game I love.”

Since then, Fekitoa has played in France, England, Ireland, and now Italy with Benetton Rugby, which competes in the United Rugby Championship.

At the time of writing, Benetton hold 7th place in the 16-team annual rugby competition, which includes teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. Leinster and Glasgow Warriors currently lead the standings.

While Fekitoa has embraced the European adventure, the transitions have not always been easy.

“No matter who you are or how old you are, it’s always going to be very difficult. From when I first left New Zealand to Toulon in France, it was, for me, it was quite scary at first.”

“No matter who you are or how old you are, it’s always going to be very difficult. From when I first left New Zealand to Toulon in France, it was, for me, it was quite scary at first.”

He says adjusting to each new country came with its own challenges, even moving between English-speaking nations.

Try time for Malakai at Benetton in Italy.

Passionate rugby fans

Fekitoa has been particularly impressed by the passion of fans in France, where rugby is treated with great reverence.

“In France, everyone knows the boys, the players, and they know where you’re from. Every little detail about your life, they know,” he says.

Fekitoa says on his first day of training, there were about 500 fans in the stand cheering for the team - it's a daily ritual for French supporters.

He contrasts this with his early playing days in Aotearoa, when there was a decline in fan engagement, especially in the Super Rugby tournament.

“You watch some of the games now, no one’s watching at all.”

Malakai Fekitoa training in Toulon, France, with teammates in 2018. Photo/Facebook

“For me, fans are very, very important to the game. If there’s no spectators, it’s quite tough to get up for a game. That’s one of the biggest reasons we play the game, you know what I mean, to entertain.”

Giving back to Tonga

While rugby has taken him around the world, Fekitoa’s heart remains in Tonga.

This was especially clear in 2022 when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami devastated his homeland. Living in England at the time, he felt helpless watching the crisis unfold.

“There was no communication for probably five days or more. That was probably the worst feeling, not knowing.

“You’re watching the news every day, not knowing what’s going on.”

Media from around the world covered the story of Malakai Fekitoa being unable to reach his family until 10 days after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami. Photo/Malakai Fekitoa.

Determined to help, Fekitoa and his partner launched a fundraiser.

“We set up a page, and while we were waiting and not knowing anything about what’s going on, we started asking for help. I was shocked at how big and supportive the rugby community is,” he says.

The campaign raised over £80,000 (NZ$175,000), which provided emergency supplies, including food, medical aid, and fuel to transport relief to Tonga’s outer islands.

“For me, that was probably one of the highlights of my playing career,” he says. “Because when it’s all said and done, no one really cares if I play rugby, that’s what I learned.

“But doing something to help my family, my countrymen, my people, that means a lot more to me than everything I’ve done in my career.”

First try for Malakai Fekitoa at Benetton Rugby in November 2023. Photo/Benetton Rugby Facebook

A leader at Benetton

Now playing for Benetton, Fekitoa has embraced a new role both as both a leader on the field and as a mentor to younger players.

“At this stage of my career, it’s all about giving back as well,” he says.

“I came into the right place in Italy, a club that needed support in their side of the world. With my experience from big clubs in Europe and back home, I just want to give back and help our young kids while still performing.”

Fekitoa also recognises the growing influence of Pacific players in European rugby.

“Nowadays, it’s probably a little bit easier to come over as an Islander to play in Europe,” he says.

“There’s always a Pasifika around, whether it’s Samoan or Tongan, they might invite you over for food or offer their help. That’s been really cool.”

2027 Rugby World Cup

As he looks to the future, particularly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia in mind, heincrease remains focused on his career in the sport.

“I’ve had two seasons now, and I’ve got one more year left on my contract. I’ll be 34,” he says.

“I’m still healthy. I want to keep pushing. I love the game so much. For me now, it’s just all about playing as long as I can so my kids can be proud of me.”

When asked about the possibility of playing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Fekitoa remains open-minded.

“It’s something to think about,” he says.