Patrick Tuifua (born 25 August 2004) is a French rugby union player,[1] who currently plays as a loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.[2][3]

Patrick Tuifua
Date of birth (2004-08-25) 25 August 2004 (age 20)
Place of birthNew Caledonia
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight113 kg (249 lb; 17 st 11 lb)
SchoolLindisfarne College
Notable relative(s)Laurent Simutoga (uncle)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Hawke's Bay
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023– Hawke's Bay 8 (0)
Correct as of 10 October 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024 France U20 2 (5)
Correct as of 6 August 2024

Early life

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Born in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean, Tuifua moved to New Zealand in 2020 at the age of 15 years-old and attended Lindisfarne College on a scholarship.[4]

Senior career

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Tuifua played for Hawke's Bay in the National Provincial Championship in 2023 and has represented the Hurricanes at age-grade level.[5][6]

International career

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Tuifua played for France U20 at the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[7]

Personal life

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Tuifua is the nephew of former rugby union player Laurent Simutoga.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Patrick Tuifua". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Magpies 2024 NPC squad confirmed". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 29 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ @hbmagpies (31 July 2024). "Squad 2024". Retrieved 1 August 2024 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ Newboult, Colin (29 March 2024). "All Blacks and France in tug-of-war for teenage sensation as Hurricanes starlet 'wanted' by five Top 14 giants". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ Newboult, Colin (14 May 2024). "France plan to 'block' All Blacks' swoop for wonderkid as tug-of-war intensifies". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  6. ^ Billiard, Willy (30 January 2024). "France U20: Five to watch". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ Kelly, Glenn (3 February 2024). "Under-20s Six Nations: France 31–37 Ireland - Visitors off to winning start". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ Mortimer, Gavin (17 April 2024). "France and All Blacks in tug of war over latest star from New Caledonia". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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