Filipo Nakosi to play in France

Filipo Nakosi in action at the Mangonui rugby final earlier this season.

Awanui rugby's talented Fijian winger, Filipo Nakosi, has been picked up by French Top 14 franchise Agen.

Nakosi has proved a real head-turner in the Mangonui sub union competition for the 3x Bell Shield holders over the past three seasons, for his effortless acceleration and dazzling skills.

Many will not forget the try he scored in the final minute of play of a club match earlier this year (one which ended up keeping Awanui's 100 per cent winning record of the past three seasons intact); picking up a poor clearance inside his own half and - with the ref's lips pursed and about to blow for fulltime - proceeding to run clean through the entire opposition ranks and touch down under the posts to deny a flabbergasted Eastern a historic win.

He also saw ITM Cup action with the Northland Taniwha, as well as playing for the Auckland Blues development squad during his time in the Far North.

As the younger brother of Pio Tuwai, and older brother of Toulon's Josua Tuisova, Nakosi has secured a full-time professional deal with Agen where he joins fellow Fijians, Apisai Naikatini, Eroni Vasiteri, Ilaitia Tagotago and Apisalome Ratuniyarawa.

Awanui rugby stalwart Glen Subritzky was looking forward to monitoring Nakosi's progress at domestic and international level over the summer.

Noting Nakosi was an obvious standout at local club rugby level, Subritzky reminded this new step up was both daunting and massive.

"It's a huge difference. He's playing against the likes of Dan Carter with Toulouse a side which has 27 internationals ... He's got to the end of the season to prove himself [and earn a two-year contract]," said Subritzky.

He expected Nakosi would settle well into French life, particularly with plenty of other Fijians already over there and playing rugby, who should be able to provide a solid support base for the new kid on the block.

Nakosi recently received the licence which will allow him to start playing, and he could well be given his first chance to prove himself when Agen line up to play London Irish in London in the European Challenge Cup this weekend.