Hurricanes 2025
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@Canes4life Quick google says age 15 for scholarship to Lindisfarne high school in HB - but his uncle did pretty much the same thing before him: Lindisfarne and HB age group teams, then France U21, then Paris and La Rochelle.
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First HB rep team was the Under 18's in 2021. When he arrived back from playing for the French U20 this year he had an injury which ultimately required an operation. That's why he only played three games in the NPC this year.
If he has been signed for the Canes that is great news.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Hurricanes 2025:
According to this translated French article Patrick Tuifua will go to the Hurricanes -
Despite the approach of several clubs in France, the new nugget of French rugby has decided to continue his adventure in New Zealand. He will carry out the preparation with the Hurricanes franchise.
Since October 12, and the elimination of Hawke's Bay in the quarter-finals of the Bunnings NPC against Bay of Plenty (19-17), third-row center Patrick Tuifua , who impressed during his time with the French under-20 team, has a difficult choice before him: give in to the sirens of the Top 14 or pursue his dream of playing with the Hurricanes.
According to our indiscretions, the most sought-after French prospect on the market (Toulon, La Rochelle , Paris, Montpellier and Toulouse were ready to recruit him with immediate effect) preferred to make the choice of the heart. Following several interviews, the revelation of the last 2024 Six Nations Tournament said yes to the New Zealand franchise.
In the coming months, the interested party will devote himself to preparing for the next Super Rugby. He will thus try to land a contract with the "Canes". Beyond the Top 14 clubs, it is also a hard blow for Fabien Galthié and the federal fold.The coach of the French XV is closely following the development of the player who was born in New Caledonia. He was even expected to join the last summer tour in Argentina. If he stays another year on New Zealand territory, which is currently the trend, Patrick Tuifua will be eligible for the All Blacks.
That's awesome news, maybe why they released TK Howden. Hopefully Tuifua remains loyal to the black jersey.
Awesome News for The AB's potentially as well.Good to see us gaining instead of losing players.
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@Chris said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Hurricanes 2025:
According to this translated French article Patrick Tuifua will go to the Hurricanes -
Despite the approach of several clubs in France, the new nugget of French rugby has decided to continue his adventure in New Zealand. He will carry out the preparation with the Hurricanes franchise.
Since October 12, and the elimination of Hawke's Bay in the quarter-finals of the Bunnings NPC against Bay of Plenty (19-17), third-row center Patrick Tuifua , who impressed during his time with the French under-20 team, has a difficult choice before him: give in to the sirens of the Top 14 or pursue his dream of playing with the Hurricanes.
According to our indiscretions, the most sought-after French prospect on the market (Toulon, La Rochelle , Paris, Montpellier and Toulouse were ready to recruit him with immediate effect) preferred to make the choice of the heart. Following several interviews, the revelation of the last 2024 Six Nations Tournament said yes to the New Zealand franchise.
In the coming months, the interested party will devote himself to preparing for the next Super Rugby. He will thus try to land a contract with the "Canes". Beyond the Top 14 clubs, it is also a hard blow for Fabien Galthié and the federal fold.The coach of the French XV is closely following the development of the player who was born in New Caledonia. He was even expected to join the last summer tour in Argentina. If he stays another year on New Zealand territory, which is currently the trend, Patrick Tuifua will be eligible for the All Blacks.
That's awesome news, maybe why they released TK Howden. Hopefully Tuifua remains loyal to the black jersey.
Awesome News for The AB's potentially as well.Good to see us gaining instead of losing players.
As long as he doesn't use the Canes as a finishing school before jumping to France...
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@canefan said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Chris said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Hurricanes 2025:
According to this translated French article Patrick Tuifua will go to the Hurricanes -
Despite the approach of several clubs in France, the new nugget of French rugby has decided to continue his adventure in New Zealand. He will carry out the preparation with the Hurricanes franchise.
Since October 12, and the elimination of Hawke's Bay in the quarter-finals of the Bunnings NPC against Bay of Plenty (19-17), third-row center Patrick Tuifua , who impressed during his time with the French under-20 team, has a difficult choice before him: give in to the sirens of the Top 14 or pursue his dream of playing with the Hurricanes.
According to our indiscretions, the most sought-after French prospect on the market (Toulon, La Rochelle , Paris, Montpellier and Toulouse were ready to recruit him with immediate effect) preferred to make the choice of the heart. Following several interviews, the revelation of the last 2024 Six Nations Tournament said yes to the New Zealand franchise.
In the coming months, the interested party will devote himself to preparing for the next Super Rugby. He will thus try to land a contract with the "Canes". Beyond the Top 14 clubs, it is also a hard blow for Fabien Galthié and the federal fold.The coach of the French XV is closely following the development of the player who was born in New Caledonia. He was even expected to join the last summer tour in Argentina. If he stays another year on New Zealand territory, which is currently the trend, Patrick Tuifua will be eligible for the All Blacks.
That's awesome news, maybe why they released TK Howden. Hopefully Tuifua remains loyal to the black jersey.
Awesome News for The AB's potentially as well.Good to see us gaining instead of losing players.
As long as he doesn't use the Canes as a finishing school before jumping to France...
I'd say his commitment would be to NZ, I don't think the Canes would sign a young player like Tuifua if he's just going to f off in a couple years. He's NZ eligible in a year apparently so I'm sure Razor will have his eye on him. Not sure if he'll get much game time for the Canes in his first year though unless injuries strike.
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Generational talent chooses New Zealand Rugby over the Top 14 | Rugbydump
French U20 star Patrick Tuifua signs with Super Rugby's Hurricanes choosing All Blacks eligibility over Top 14 offers.
And from earlier this year
All Blacks and France in tug-of-war for teenage sensation as Hurricanes starlet 'wanted' by five Top 14 clubs
Back-row Patrick Tuifua, who lit up the U20 Six Nations, will have a difficult decision to make between All Blacks and France as he maps out his future.
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@Machpants said in Hurricanes 2025:
Generational talent chooses New Zealand Rugby over the Top 14 | Rugbydump
French U20 star Patrick Tuifua signs with Super Rugby's Hurricanes choosing All Blacks eligibility over Top 14 offers.
And from earlier this year
Back-row Patrick Tuifua, who lit up the U20 Six Nations, will have a difficult decision to make between All Blacks and France as he maps out his future.
A loose forward trio containing him and Lakai in the next few seasons would be awesome.
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Here's a video (all in French) of him training with the top French side. Looks like a solid unit.
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Here he is wearing 7 scoring for France u20 at 3:35 mins -
and a classy run here at 1 min wearing 6 -
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes 2025:
Very rare for a New Caledonian or Tahitian to be playing top level rugby or league despite being French territory. Wonder if it is another part of the Pacific with potential.
New Caledonia and French Polynesia combined have over half a million people, not sure the Polynesian % of the latter but there is a Tahiti (Tahitian)* national side, and they have beaten the Cook Islands if that is an indication but as a tier 3 rugby nation in the Pacific seem to have some trouble getting games.
*Don't want to get involved in Tahiti versus French Polynesia terms-I didn't name them!
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Interesting quote from the French coach re Tuifua: “A lot of people talk, say he would like to play for the All Blacks but it’s not exactly that when you talk to him. He wants to play Super Rugby, he has set himself this objective of playing it with the Hurricanes franchise,” Calvet said in February.
More here -
New Zealand team beat FIVE Top 14 clubs to ‘most sought-after’ French prospect’s signature – report
New Zealand appear to have beaten France in the race for a highly rated U20 forward.
There is no doubt, however, that his decision to commit to the Hurricanes – should it be confirmed – is a boost to New Zealand and will harm France’s chances of selecting him going forward.
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
I wonder why the Canes?
Because he's based in the Canes region and has ambitions of being a Hurricane. Just a thought.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
Interesting quote from the French coach re Tuifua: “A lot of people talk, say he would like to play for the All Blacks but it’s not exactly that when you talk to him. He wants to play Super Rugby, he has set himself this objective of playing it with the Hurricanes franchise,” Calvet said in February.
More here -
New Zealand appear to have beaten France in the race for a highly rated U20 forward.
There is no doubt, however, that his decision to commit to the Hurricanes – should it be confirmed – is a boost to New Zealand and will harm France’s chances of selecting him going forward.
Yep, let's wait for the squad naming. Next week?
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2025:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
I wonder why the Canes?
Because he's based in the Canes region and has ambitions of being a Hurricane. Just a thought.
(Greater) Wellington? That could piss off French history buffs!
