Rugby: Nakosi debuts amid turmoil

Filipo Nakosi (second from left) lines up with French side Agen as they observe a minute's silence for the victims of the Paris attacks ahead of their European Rugby Challenge Cup match against London Irish at Madejski Stadium in Reading, England. Photo / Getty

A move from Awanui, in the reaches of New Zealand's Far North, to Agen, a small town nestled in southwestern France, would be a mesmerising ordeal for any young rugby player.

And for 2015 Taniwha wing Filipo Nakosi, who played his first match for French-based Top 14 side Agen at the weekend, the timing couldn't be any crazier given the added chaos and aftermath surrounding the recent terror attacks in Paris.

A clipping from the front page of French newspaper, Le Petit Bleu, shows legendary French player Philippe Sella welcoming Filipo Nakosi to Agen.

Helping Nakosi settle into his French surrounds just a couple of weeks ago, Awanui rugby stalwart Glen Subritzky said he hadn't heard from the 23-year-old since he made his debut; however, he believes Nakosi would have taken his first run and the calamity of the Paris attacks in his stride.

"It's gonna effect them all, I don't know how it's going to pan out ... he just loves rugby, he'll be fine, he'll settle in."

Of Agen, Subritzky added, "It's about an hour from Toulouse, it's a nice little town ... sort of Whangarei-sized," and that it would be a safe haven amidst the strife many occupants of France would be dealing with at present.

Instrumental in getting Nakosi to Agen, as well as former Northland star Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Subritzky said Nakosi had the ability on the playing field, but, "It's all up to him now".

"I was there when he arrived, I met him at the airport then took him to meet friends of mine to make him feel welcome, then took him to the club and coach."

The younger brother of Pio Tuwai, and older brother of Toulon's Josua Tuisova, Nakosi joins fellow Fijians Apisai Naikatini, Eroni Vasiteri, Ilaitia Tagotago and Apisalome Ratuniyarawa at Agen, as well as former Taniwha Tom Murday. Nakosi earned a two-year contract with Agen through displaying his ability to upset opposition sides during broken play in the ITM Cup, and with some slick club rugby outings for Awanui.

Running out for Agen versus London Irish in his debut match yesterday (NZT), both teams observed a minute's silence for the victims of the terror attacks, and Nakosi bellowed out the French national anthem alongside his new teammates.

Losing that match 48-10, Agen were lucky to play given several other European fixtures were called off at the weekend.

Ulster's trip to Oyonnax and Glasgow's match at Racing 92 were both postponed du because of the Paris attacks, with European Professional Club Rugby chairman Simon Halliday saying it simply would not have been appropriate.