Jordan Taufua

Taufua to become sixth Leicester Tigers contract rebel to exit

Club CEO Andrea Pinchen did not include Taufua in a list five players leaving, which included Manu Tuilagi, Noel Reid, Kyle Eastmond, Telusa Veainu and Greg Bateman.

Taufua’s absence from the list had given Tigers’ fans hope that the explosive forward may yet stay put, despite not signing before the crucial club contract deadline on Tuesday.

Taufua out of Super Rugby final

Taufua, nicknamed 'Beast', sustained the injury during the defending champions' 30-12 semi-final victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday.

Pete Samu is set to come into the side when Scott Robertson's men come up against the Lions at AMI Stadium next Saturday in a repeat of last year's decider.

Taufua posted on Instagram: "Unfortunately for me that's my season on the field done... pretty gutted to not be able to run out with my brothers for the final but will be a loud and proud supporter off it!! One more to go."

Taufua has operation on broken arm

Tasman lost 35-13 to Canterbury in Saturday's premiership decider in Christchurch, with Taufua having to be replaced in the 41st minute after suffering what appeared to be a broken arm in the game's opening minutes.

Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Tony Lewis confirmed that Taufua had an operation on Sunday and that he could be out of action for up to 12 weeks.

However, Lewis said that the injury might also be a blessing for Taufua after the rugged No 8 had taken plenty of physical punishment during Tasman's premiership campaign.