'We'll see what happens': Barnstorming Leicester flanker Jordan Taufua hints at international future with Pacific nation
One-time All Blacks loose forward Jordan Taufua has hinted at a possible international call-up after declaring himself available for Manu Samoa.
The 27-year-old recently departed New Zealand for England to take up a contract with the Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership in a move which virtually eliminated any hope of representing the All Blacks in the test arena.
Taufua has previously been involved in the All Blacks set-up after he was named in Steve Hansen's squad for the 2018 June series against France as an injury replacement for captain and former Crusaders teammate Kieran Read.
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However, a torn calf sustained in a training run ruled Taufua out of action for the test series against Les Bleus.
His services weren't called upon again by Hansen, and the former Crusaders star, who played a key role in the franchise's hat-trick of Super Rugby titles over the past three seasons, left for the United Kingdom last year as an uncapped prospect.
That hasn't prevented Taufua from pursuing international ambitions, though, as he still harbours aspirations to represent his parents' nation of heritage.
"I am still eligible for Samoa so we'll see what happens," Taufua, who has represented both New Zealand and Samoa at U20 level, told the Rugby Paper.
"I'm just concentrating on giving my all for Leicester. It would be amazing to win championships in both hemispheres, but first, it's all about smaller steps."
Between now and a potential Samoa call-up, Taufua has his work cut out for him in England's premier domestic competition, as Leicester currently sit in second-last place with two wins from eight outings.
The only side the Tigers are leading is last-placed Saracens, whose 35-point reduction as a result of their salary cap breach leaves them 18 points off the pace.
With six wins inside the first eight rounds, though, there remains plenty of time for the reigning English and European champions to usurp Leicester at the bottom of the table.
Leicester's next opportunity to elevate themselves out of the relegation battle will come in a fortnight's time, when they travel to the Recreation Ground to face sixth-placed Bath.
Before then, though, the Tigers will look to complete an undefeated run through the European Challenge Cup pool stages when they face Cardiff at home on Sunday, before travelling to France to take on Pau a week later.
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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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