Dual eligible France-NZ lock given '20 to 40 per cent chance' of playing again

Former France U20s and ex-Hawke’s Bay lock Patrick Tuifua was given “20 to 40 per cent” chance of ever playing rugby again after a mismanaged knee injury derailed his career at Toulon.

The dual eligible lock turned heads when he played for France U20s in 2024 which prompted a recruitment war between New Zealand and France. The New Caledonian continued his rugby in Hawke’s Bay in the NPC, where he was schooled, in order to continue on the Super Rugby Pacific pathway. When he missed out on the Hurricanes full squad in 2025, Toulon came with a deal that priced the NZ club out of contention.

On return to France with the Top 14 giants Tuifua suffered a serious right knee injury in October 2025 against Clermont. After a 10-month layoff, he finally made his return for the final ten minutes of Saturday’s match against La Rochelle.

In an interview with Var-Martin, the 22-year-old revealed he was given a 20-40 per cent chance of playing again, prompting him to consider retirement.

“My knee started to really bother me, until it gave way. I had to have surgery in Lyon,” he told Var-Martin. 

“At that point, the doctor told me I had between a 20 and 40% chance of coming back. But I decided to give it my all over these ten months to recover and try to return.

Tuifua revealed that it was the same injury he suffered in New Zealand during NPC and believed coming back too soon caused the relapse.

“Actually, it’s the same injury I’ve been carrying since New Zealand. I did my rehabilitation, but I came back too soon. I should have taken more time,” he said. 

“In the end, it wasn’t healed enough. But now, it’s much better. The surgery went well.”

The Hurricanes tabled a counter three-year offer to try and keep Tuifua but the Toulon package proved irresistible.

They were happy to see the prospect take the “life-changing” contract in the Top 14.

“We offered him a three-year deal to stay, but it’s probably a slightly different package to what Toulon can offer,” Hurricanes head coach Laidlaw said.

“He is French. He’s played for the French under-20s and his family speaks French. His parents see that as the route they want their son to take, and we support that.

“We’d love for him to stay and we offered him a contract to stay and keep developing him. He’s a young player with a high ceiling but he’s got a long way to go before he’s fully Super Rugby ready.

“We’re disappointed to see him go but we’re supportive. It could be life-changing with the type of contracts you can earn in France, and he sees that route as his pathway … we wish all the best.”