Rugby: Tui makes move to Lyon on 2-year deal

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Wanganui rugby export Hoani Tui made the move from England to his latest home in France this week as the 30-year-old prop prepares to take up his new position with Lyon Olympique Universitaire.

The 30-year-old Tui announced he had signed with Lyon in January in a two-year deal as he came to the end of his contract with the Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership, having made over 100 appearances for the Chiefs since 2009.

Tui left with the good wishes of Exeter coach Rob Baxter.

"Hoani is moving on - not because we don't want him to stay - but more that a very good French club is prepared to offer him a very good contract.

"He has been a great player for us, he's a good guy around the place and he's continued to perform very well for us even since we knew he was going to leave."

First on the agenda for Tui will be learning at least the basics of the French language, although he will certainly be surrounded by plenty of fellow English-speaking international players.

The Lyon club won promotion back into Top 14 - France's premier competition - by winning the second-tier Pro D2 championship in the 2013-14 season, following their relegation from the top grade in 2012.

In preparation for their promotion, Lyon went on a recruitment drive - securing the services of former Wallaby flanker George Smith, former Crusader and Blues first-five Stephen Brett, and Stormers utility forward Deon Fourie.

An old boy of St Augustine's, now Cullinane, Tui moved to Wellington and won selection in the 2007 New Zealand Maori team.

He went overseas for a spell with Italian club Calvisano before joining Exeter.