'We offered him a three-year deal': Hurricanes priced out of U20 star

Patrick Tuifua will ply his trade in France despite the Hurricanes’ best efforts to keep him in New Zealand.

The two nations have each been vying for the highly touted France U20 star’s signature, but it appears the draw of playing for one of the French heavyweights, Toulon, has lured him north.

It was just months ago when it looked as if the New Caledonian would commit to the Kiwi system, given he had joined the Hurricanes for preseason despite missing selection for the full squad.

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said Tuifua was “definitely in our plans” after unveiling his 2025 roster back on November 12, but wasn’t interested in fast-tracking the youngster to be in the full squad given his youth.

“He’s 20, and he’s had an injury and played very little NPC,” Laidlaw told media at a press conference following his squad naming.

“It’s a big jump and when you have the quality of loose forwards we’ve got, like Arese Poliko, he’s a bit further along in his development.

“But we see a big future for Patrick and our job is to develop him properly, get his body and mind right and pre-season will teach him a thing or two around his preparation and what that needs to look like.”

The coach added: “He’s got a lot of areas to work on but he’s got a lot of super strengths around his athleticism and his power game, and he really fits the way we’d love our sixes to be able to play.

“To go against some of the big teams in the competition we need guys who are big and heavy and can play through the middle of the field.”

The Hurricanes are blessed with a bevy of talented loose forwards, the youngest of which, Peter Lakai, has already tasted international rugby with the All Blacks. His teammates, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brayden Iose, remain on the fringes while Brad Shields’ international career is now in the rearview.

Tuifua’s chosen club, Toulon, also boast numerous current and former internationals in his department. Former England flanker Lewis Ludlam, French openside Esteban Abadie and Argentinian No. 8 Facundo Isa were the starting loose forwards in their recent 72-42 Champions Cup victory over Saracens.

Laidlaw admitted the French giants’ appeal was far-reaching and the Hurricanes would support Tuifua’s decision.

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