Report: New Zealand win tug-of-war for France U20 star

According to the French outlet Midi Olympique, France U20 sensation Patrick Tuifua has made a call on his immediate playing future, picking New Zealand’s Super Rugby Pacific over France’s Top 14.

Born in the French territory of New Caledonia, Tuifua faces a decision familiar to France star Peato Mauvaka in regard to national eligibility.

More pressing though is the 20-year-old’s development, and after his second NPC season with Hawkes Bay, it appears Tuifua has opted to continue his journey through the Hurricanes’ development system with an eye on a Super Rugby Pacific debut.

After playing a starring role in France’s recent U20 Six Nations campaign, it’s reported that Toulon, La Rochelle, Paris, Montpellier and Toulouse all had heavy interest in the young loose forward, as did France head coach Fabien Galthié.

While the young gun’s French citizenship places him in a prime position to follow in the likes of Mauvaka’s footsteps, a move to New Zealand in 2020 to attend Lindisfarne College on a scholarship he earned while playing sevens has also places him just a year away from New Zealand eligibility under residency law.

With an opportunity to chase an All Blacks dream with the same club where reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea grew his game, Tuifua joins an emerging cast of young stars, including fellow Hawkes Bay youngster Harry Godfrey, as the next faces of the Kiwi heavyweights.

Should he earn a promotion to the top squad in 2025, Tuifua will join an already impressive cast of young loose forwards including new All Black Peter Lakai under new coach Clark Laidlaw in a team that finished top of the table before being eliminated in the semi-final this year.