Australia: Emmanuel Meafou ready to opt for France over Australia

Lawrence Nolan

Toulouse’s behemoth lock Emmanuel Meafou evidently has the luxury of choice when it comes to his potential future international career, but he has dropped strong hints that he is ready to choose France over his native Australia.

Meafou worked his way up through the Melbourne Rebels academy, also playing rugby league at top club level, but he did not get a contract from any of the Super Rugby teams.

Could have been a Superbowl winner

He spent a year in Florida too, with the NFL interested in a player of his size and athleticism as a possible defensive lineman in Tampa, but he preferred rugby and jumped at the chance to join Toulouse in 2019, where he has prospered.

The 23-year-old has now broken into the Toulouse first team and confessed in an interview the French Rugby Podcast that he now feels more at home in France and is ready to step into international rugby in blue, rather than gold.

“I want to play for France,” Meafou said.

“France is definitely on my radar and there’s been a little bit of discussion around it and I’m working towards getting my passport.

“I’ve been here now for over three years so I would definitely love to play for France.”

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