WATCH: France’s 150kg lock Posolo Tuilagi, son of Henry, DESTROYS New Zealand
France's Posolo Tuilagi during the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 match against New Zealand
There is a new Tuilagi wreaking havoc on opposition defences, with Henry Tuilagi’s 150kg son Posolo lighting up the World Rugby U20 Championship.
The 18-year-old’s latest victim was New Zealand, with the 1.92m tall lock scoring two tries in an action pack man of the match performance.
The Tuilagi name is well known to the rugby public, with the family producing stars Henry, Manu, Alesana, Freddie and Anitelea, who have all left a mark on the game by striking fear into their opposition.
Next Gen Tuilagi
The next generation is starting to come through, with teenager Posolo Tuilagi tearing New Zealand apart during the U20 Championships in South Africa.
The horrid conditions in South Africa’s Western Cape meant that it would be a game for the forwards, and Posolo took full advantage of that, dominating collisions and laid a marker down for the rest of the teams in the tournament.
It took at least two New Zealand players, often three, to bring him to ground with each carry while he landed a few hefty hits on defence and came close to a few turnovers too.
He crossed the whitewash twice, helping his side to a 35-14 victory – New Zealand’s heaviest defeat in the history of the U20 Championship, surpassing the 12-point margin they suffered at the hands of England in the 2013 semi-final.
His performance on Thursday certainly caught the attention of onlookers on Twitter, who were quick to praise the teenage star.
🇫🇷Posolo Tuilagi avanza siempre en el Top 14, mira si no va a marcar la diferencia en un Mundial M-20 (todavía puede jugar el torneo del año que viene). Un afano. #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/OGYSacGLe4
— Periodismo Rugby (@Perrugby) June 29, 2023
“ICYMI there’s a next generation Tuilagi who is 18, 149kgs and possesses the strength of Obelix for one-man lineout drives,” Jamie Wall tweeted.
ICYMI there’s a next generation Tuilagi who is 18, 149kgs and possesses the strength of Obelix for one-man lineout drives pic.twitter.com/RHb0oniL79
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) June 29, 2023
Another said that Tuilagi looked like a man among boys, despite the Perpignan youngster being younger than most of his opponents.
“This kid is the stuff of nightmares for defenders. Literally looked like a man among boys last night. Tuilagi 2.0”
Popular rugby columnist Paul Williams added: “He’s got the Tuilagi neck girth. That’s how you spot of a proper Tuilagi.”
One fan also found it unfair that France had got their hands on a Tuilagi.
“There needs to be a full investigation into how on earth someone let France have a Tuilagi. That is just not fair,” the tweet read.
The weight of the Tuilagi name
Speaking after the game, Tuilagi addressed the weight of the famous family name.
“I’m very proud,” he said. “It’s big motivation for me on the field, knowing that I have a big family behind me.”
The reporter asked: “Are they watching?”
“Always! Shout out to my family,” he added.
On top of his two tries, Tuilagi made 85 metres with ball in hand and made 11 tackles.
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