Rugby: Sono Taumalolo's Perpignan bound

Hawke's Bay Magpies and Chiefs rugby crowd pleaser Sona Taumalolo intends to complete his career in the Bay despite signing a three-and-a-half-year deal with French Top 14 side Perpignan yesterday.

"Hawke's Bay is still home and it will be neat to end my playing days with the Magpies and the Clive club," Taumalolo said, while checking out the sights of Catalan yesterday.

"I'm here for a week and everything looks good so far," Taumalolo, 30, explained.

One of Tonga's World Cup stars last year, Taumalolo, a veteran of 61 games for the Magpies since his 2005 debut, said he was looking forward to seeing what French rugby is "really like".

"I know that here the scrum and the physical side is quite important. I'm here to learn and to try and improve every aspect of my game. Perpignan is an ambitious club, so it's a challenge for me," Taumalolo said.

The father of two will join up with fellow Tongan international and fellow prop Kisi Pulu at Perpignan. The 2010 champions Perpignan, who finished 11th of 14 last season, will be coached next season by Marc Delpoux who has signed 10 players including Tongan-born New Zealander Lifeimi Mafi, Englishman Luke Narraway and Scotsman Alasdair Strokosch.

Confirming the Perpignan deal is one of two major decisions Taumalolo has made this month. The other was turning down the opportunity to play for Tonga in this month's Pacific Nations Cup.

"I want to focus on the Chiefs. Tonga really wanted me, but at the end of the day I have to look after my body," Taumalolo said.

Taumalolo, who has played eight tests for Tonga since last year, is second-equal on this season's Super Rugby tryscoring list, with eight. He will return to Super Rugby on June 29 when the Chiefs play the Highlanders in Dunedin.

"I'm looking forward to our next outing against the Crusaders too," Taumalolo said referring to the July 6 match in Hamilton.

Back in March Taumalolo produced a player-of-the-match performance in the Chiefs 24-19 win against the Crusaders at Napier's McLean Park, his last outing in the Bay. He scored a crucial try and along with fellow Magpies prop and distant relative Ben Tameifuna played key roles as the Chiefs scrum demolished the Franks brothers and co.

Should Taumalolo's body not allow him to have another season of first-class rugby for the Magpies when his French stint ends he will be remembered for his prominent role in the Magpies Air New Zealand Cup semifinal finishes from 2007-09. He missed the 2010 season with injury and Taumalolo's absence was a key factor in the Magpies disappointing eighth placing in that season's ITM Cup.

Many Magpies fans have yet to forget his disallowed try against Canterbury at McLean Park in 2009. Taumalolo has scored 18 tries for the Magpies to date.

Taumalolo scored Tonga's only try after coming off the bench in their 41-10 loss to the All Blacks in pool play at last year's World Cup.

He plans to secure a starting role for Tonga in the future. Considering his form for the Chiefs to date this season Taumalolo must be considered a starter in his next appearance for his country of birth.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union president Blair Furlong said Taumalolo has given outstanding service to the Magpies and he wished him well with his French contract.