"I can't wait, here, I've been told that the supporters are... crazy": the thousand lives of Patrick Tuifua, the new jewel of the RCT

On Monday, August 25, Patrick Tuifua will celebrate his ^21st birthday. 17,000 kilometers from his homeland. Yet, as young as he is, the kid from Noumea, New Caledonia, has already lived a thousand lives. Described as one of the greatest hopes of his generation, the massive flanker (1.91m, 116kg) was the subject of negotiations between two countries: New Zealand, where he played until a few months ago for the Hawke's Bay, and France, for whom he played in the U20s. "I tried to just focus on rugby," says the man seated at a table at Campus RCT. "It was mainly my father who managed that. He got the information, we discussed it, and we made decisions together."

Carter and Wilkinson as idols

On his native island, Jean-Philippe, his father, is a police officer. At the same time, he is president of the JSL Normandie Rugby club in Nouméa. His mother, Andréa, "takes care of the little ones," says the discreet boy. At home, Patrick grew up alongside his five sisters and his brother. "We're a big family," smiles the flanker. "Nine at home, that's not nothing! I'm in the middle. And now, all the older ones, that is to say my two sisters and my brother, are in mainland France."

Moreover, family is no stranger to the fact that Patrick Tuifua finally chose Toulon during the off-season. His sister, Sauhany, is a police officer in Marseille. "We live together in Valletta. It was very important for me to find her. It's a landmark. During my years in New Zealand, I wasn't able to see my family. And I missed it! So now, it feels good..."

It must be said that before flying to Toulon, Patrick Tuifua spent five years in the country with the long white cloud. To better understand his story, we must delve back into Patrick Tuifua's childhood. The kid discovered rugby at a very young age, through his father. "He coached and followed me from category to category. On the island, we mainly play rugby sevens. When I turned 15 [in 2019] , I was selected to try to go and play in New Zealand. I was accepted, I got a scholarship and with my parents, we decided to give it a try."

At the time, you might not believe it, but his idols were… Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson. And it still makes him laugh: "I don't know why, but I loved the number 10s!"

New Zealand… and Covid

2,000 kilometers from his family, Patrick Tuifua discovered life alone, or almost. He remembers: "It was very hard. I didn't really know what I was getting into. My parents had come for the start of the school year. It was hard to see them leave. I didn't know it yet, but it was the last time I would see them in three years." A few months after his arrival, Covid struck the world and prevented Patrick Tuifua from returning home. "We called each other at least once a week," he continues. " It was really strange to be so far away. During my first three years at school, I was in a dormitory during the week, and with a host family during the holidays. But I got used to it. And when the airport finally reopened, it was easier to go, from time to time, to see family in New Caledonia."

Injured in the knee in June 2024 and ultimately not selected in the Hurricanes squad for the upcoming Super Rugby season, the third row finally made the decision to join France.

"Playing for a club in mainland France is a first. I can't wait. Here, I've been told the fans are... crazy, " he laughs. "I love it. You can feel it just in training. People are passionate. I can't wait for it to really get going." While he has signed with Toulon for the next three seasons, Patrick Tuifua hasn't "closed the doors" on Super Rugby. Far from it. "I'm thinking of going there later in my career. It's not the right time, but one day, it would be important to me to be able to play there."

Petanque and choir

Although his life is now dedicated to rugby "100%" , as a kid, little Patrick had other passions, one of which he continues to maintain. And hold on, it's not necessarily commonplace in Noumea: "I love pétanque! I played it a lot in New Caledonia. In fact, here, with the Espoirs, we play quite a bit. At least three times a week. Whether on the pitch at Campus, or at Mourillon." So, are you more of a shooter or a pointer? "Shooter, shooter. You can't say I'm a good pointer," he laughs.

In his free time, every Sunday morning, he also sings in the Toulon Cathedral choir, "behind Mayol." He says: "We have rehearsals. My aunt, my father's sister, leads the choir. And after mass, we always eat together, we go to the beach..."

Now fully settled in Toulon, the Nouméa native has only one desire: for his "new chapter" to truly begin. And while he may sometimes feel out of place, Patrick Tuifua only has to travel a few kilometers to feel at home. "Toulon is warm, there's the sea, it's a bit like New Caledonia in real life, right?" We trust him for the comparison!