Waikato swoop quietly under the radar

When the NZRU put out a press release last week about the fact they had signed an unknown prop by the name of Philemon Toleafoa, it largely slipped under the radar.

It was an unusual step for the rugby union to put out a release like that, largely because most players tend to shift the other way. Of course, Leon MacDonald and Bruce Reihana are the major exceptions - although Reihana has since changed his mind and is staying with Northampton - and their returns were also hailed by the suits in Wellington.

It's for this reason that news of Toleafoa's return to play for Waikato in this year's NPC is significant. As recently as late last year, the 23-year-old prop was going to join the French national side before Graham Henry was alerted to Toleafoa's situation and convinced him to chase the black jersey instead when they met in Paris last year.

Despite the fact few people in this country will be aware of the loosehead prop who tips the scales at 140kg and stands 1.95m, former French prop Christian Caliafano rates him as the best front rower in the French competition.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen was with Henry when they met Toleafoa last year and admits he doesn't know much about the prop but that he has a good reputation.

"He's a big man first and foremost but he's also quite an athlete," Hansen said. "He will be ideal in the set pieces because he's so big and strong and should be a good lifter and a good scrummager.

"He's playing top level rugby in France which would suggest he could come back here and at least play NPC and even Super 12. Like anyone, he has to prove himself in Super 12 and, once he's done that, of course he will be in the frame for the All Blacks."

Toleafoa realises the attention will be on him when he runs out for Waikato in the first round of the NPC against Taranaki in Hamilton on August 12.

"It's very strange," Toleafoa admits. "People will want to see me to see if they are wasting newspaper headlines. It certainly puts more pressure on me but I like the pressure because it helps me play well."

Toleafoa left these shores in 2001 somewhat disenchanted with New Zealand rugby, settling to play for Montpellier in the French league.

His return to New Zealand was not confirmed until last week after he had finally turned down lucrative offers from a number of European clubs, mainly in France, to continue playing there. "I was in no rush to decide because it was a big decision to come home," he said. "It's also the French way - you take your time and have a coffee and a smoke and worry about it later.

"What tipped it over for me was watching Super 12 on TV. It really motivated me to have a crack at it."

Although Toleafoa is yet to secure a Super 12 contract, he's confident of securing a deal with the Chiefs before turning his attentions to winning an All Blacks jersey, "hopefully within a couple of years".

If that's the case, he'll be the subject of a few more press releases.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY