All black in Toulouse!

The day after announcing the contract extension of prop Paul Mallez (who will be loaned out for the season up to Provence in Pro D2) until 2026, Stade Toulousain on Tuesday revealed the name of one of its summer recruits. It’s also a prop, and not just anyone: New Zealander Nebo Laulala. The 31-year-old has signed up for the next three seasons, as part of Pillar 2 of Toulouse Stadium’s “Path 2027”, which consists of “strengthening its workforce” (the other two axes are “strengthening its executives” and “growing with coaching”). The Samoan, who arrived in New Zealand during his childhood, is from the Auckland Blues, where he played the last two seasons in Super Rugby. He previously wore the jersey of the Crusaders (2012-15) and the Chiefs (2016-20).This season he played 12 matches for the Blues, Eight of them as a starter, scoring a try.In Toulouse, Nebo Laulala will replace compatriot Charlie Fomoina, who retired after winning the Top 14 Final last month.

Lula will play the World Cup for the second time

Nebo Laulala will not arrive at Haute-Garonne until after the World Cup, as he is the coach of the All Blacks. He also this weekend honored his selection number 44 with New Zealand during the big win in Argentina as part of the first day of the Rugby Championship. He is supposed to play his second World Cup, after that in Japan in 2019, where he participated in all matches, except for the second meeting of the group stage. He notably started in the quarter-final against Ireland, the semi-final against England and the minor final against Wales. Nebo will not be the first player from Laolala in the French championship, since his brother Casey wore the Racing 92 jersey between 2014 and 2018 as a center.