France are denying the All Blacks the chance to select highly-rated youngster Patrick Tuifa, with the possibility of locking him up in July.
The 19-year-old was born in the French colony of New Caledonia and is currently only eligible for Les Bleus, but is currently based in New Zealand.
Tuifa, who turns 20 in August, won a scholarship to Lindisfarne University in the Hawke’s Bay region in 2020 and will be eligible for residency next year.
Since then, he has played for Hawke’s Bay as an NPC and also represented the Hurricanes at age group level, while the back-row was called up to the France U20 squad for the recent Six Nations tournament.
The flanker, who can also play as a number eight, played two games against age-group teams in Ireland and Scotland before returning to New Zealand.
France or the All Blacks?
There are reports that Tuifa wants to play for the All Blacks, but the Frenchman expects him to commit to Les Bleus in the future.
As a result, manager Fabian Galthie is said to be interested in using him for the team’s tour of South America, which will take on Argentina and Uruguay in July.
“He could be selected, that’s a fact,” said French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Jean-Marc Herme. midi olympics.
“But the problem with him is twofold. First, certainly his selection has not been made.”
“If we take him on tour, it’s to let him play, and even if he does play, he will be blocked by France. It is our wish and our will. Yes, and he knows it.
“Fabien (Galtier) spoke to him about it during the last U20 Six Nations tournament.”
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U20 rugby or senior call-up?
Tuifa could also feature in the World Rugby U20 Championship, which will be held in South Africa at the same time as the French mid-year series.
It will be held from June 29th to July 19th and will be a last-row option, but Realmet wants the most promising young players to head to South America with the main squad.
“France’s U20 team will be playing in the World Cup in July. Like Tuifa, there are five or six youngsters who could also apply for the tour in Argentina,” he said.
“Do we take them on or leave it to the juniors? That’s another question we ask ourselves.
“Discussions are taking place between DTN (National Technical Director) Fabien Galtier, the U20 staff and the ‘big guys’. For young players with high potential, France XV’s trip to Argentina should be a priority. is”
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