The second line from Perpignan with impressive measurements (145 kilos, 1.92 m) will honor his first international start at the age of 19, Sunday against Italy.
Published
Reading time: 4 min
The flowery rugby jargon being infinitely adaptable, there are a thousand ways to describe Posolo Tuilagi. He is the type of player that we call, pell-mell, “wardrobe”, “beam” or “beautiful baby”. These designations, the 19-year-old second row weighing 145 kilos and 1.92 m did not steal them. “It’s a truck”, added his teammate in blue Yoram Moefana affectionately after his international baptism of fire against Ireland (17-38) on February 2. The heavyweight quickly passed the second, to the point of starting for the first time with the Blues against Italy, Sunday February 25 in Lille (at 4 p.m. on France 2 and france.tv).
The Perpignan with long straight hair stood out two weeks ago by spreading his large paws under the ball during the last action of Scotland-France (16-20), securing the precious victory for the Blues. “I enjoy every moment”he enjoyed shortly after in the corridors of Murrayfield, wrapped up in a black suit, required in a mixed zone.
We almost forget that, eighteen months ago, Posolo Tuilagi was still dragging his carcass with Perpignan in Crabos, the elite championship for under-18s. Despite warnings from first team coach Patrick Arlettaz, the second row has taken the steps “in a very natural way”. “When he went from the Crabos to the Espoirs, I said ‘be careful, there’s a big transition’says Arlettaz, today in charge of the attack for the Blues. And then I took him with me to the Top 14 and I told him: ‘Be careful of the walk between the Hopes and the Top 14…’ And he gave satisfaction.”
In the footsteps of the father and five uncles
Fifteen starts in the Top 14 and an under-20 world champion title later and the giant is knocking on the door of the Blues. It doesn’t matter if he has never tasted the intensity of the final stages or the Champions Cup, considered as stages to get used to international games. “It’s different from what I’ve experienced so far: you sprint 80% of the time, or more, the collisions are harder, rougher… But I like it”he explains with a smile, in an interview with AFP.
As if seeing Posolo Tuilagi so high, so quickly, was obvious. Could it be otherwise? Born in Samoa in 2004, he followed his father Henry to Perpignan. And when the father, third row in 138 matches in eight years with Usap, lifted the Brennus five years later, the offspring applauded at the Aimé-Giral stadium. And kept an eye on the performances of his… five uncles, all professionals. On March 17, he could clash against the best known of them, Manu, an English international thirteen years his senior. “My family is everything to mehe confides. I’m just trying to live up to it.”
Henry, who became a caterer after the end of his career in 2015, remained in Catalonia and scrupulously debriefs each match with the child prodigy. “ He has a dual culture and this duality within him: he is very secretive, very respectful, modest about his feelings, but he is a mischievous little 19-year-old Frenchman.”explains Arlettaz. Unlike his father, a former Samoan international, Posolo chose France. The fellow has in fact lived most of his life in Perpignan, obtained his general baccalaureate there and has just extended it until 2026.
A colossus with golden hands
There, its emergence hardly surprises. “In the youth categories, he has always been physically dominantrevealed Perpignan coach David Marty to AFP this summer. “He’s only 18 and he beats up everyone!”laughed forwards coach Perry Freshwater before his first professional match in La Rochelle, in September 2022.
However, don’t think that Tuilagi bases his entire game on his power. “Technically, he is also above the rest”agrees Marty. “Posolo also moves around, he really has energy linked to his youth”, unfolds Nicolas Jeanjean, performance director of the Blues. His ability to play upright and deliver passes after contact makes him an essential cog in Usap, one of the most attractive teams in the Top 14.
“It can obviously be improved, but it has an atypical profile, quite outside the norm, which we don’t necessarily have at the moment.”
Nicolas Jeanjean, performance director of the French XVat a press conference
Somewhat tired of being systematically referred to his measurements, Tuilagi no longer pays attention to them and draws on the advice of William Servat, defense coach of the Blues. “He explained to me that, no matter how much I weigh, I just need to be happy in everyday lifehe asks. I struggle with my weight every day, so hearing him tell me that gave me confidence.”
“Very well integrated” within the group, says Jeanjean, Tuilagi takes advantage of the injuries of Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou to find his way into the rotation of the second lines. The new kid hopes to get comfortable there in the long term. Before welcoming his little brother there in a few years? “He’s 15 years old, he’s already my size and he weighs 125-130 kghe describes. I hope we see a team of Tuilagi soon!”