Toulon

West will join Rugby Club Toulonnais next season and “will wear the red and black jersey until 2025”, the club have said in a statement.

“Ihaia West will no doubt want to win a trophy with the RCT he has signed up with for the next three seasons,” said Toulon in a statement.

After starting his career with Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, West made a name for himself during stints with the Auckland Blues and then the Hurricanes. Between the two sides he took part in five seasons of Super Rugby before heading to Europe.

His old teammates at Toulon know all too well the power that Tuisova possesses, having watched for years as the damaging winger plowed through opposition in the Top 14 on the end of the glamour club’s backline.

Tuisova was one of many strike weapons at Toulon over the glory years and he played outside the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Semi Radradra, Julian Savea, Chris Ashton, Matheiu Bastareaud from 2013-19, amassing 122 appearances.

The 32-year-old former Chiefs wing was a try-scorer in Toulon’s 35-13 home win over Stade Francais on Sunday (Monday NZ time), but the club later announced he would play his last game against Brive next weekend.

A statement from the club stated Heem was returning to New Zealand, and the Rugby Rama website reported that he was leaving for “major family reasons’’.

Savea’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, and despite continuing to feature regularly for the Top14 side, a series of underwhelming performances seems to have led the club to the decision that the player is not worth his lucrative wages.

A report in RMC Sport states that Toulon are willing to offload the 54-cap All Black in order to free up some space in their squad.

Savea joined Toulon from the Hurricanes in 2018, but has failed to make the desired impact at the French club.

Savea will line out for the final match of the season this weekend when Toulon play away to Castres.

It will bring the curtain down on a rocky 2018-19 campaign that saw the former All Black star's contract in jeopardy with wealthy Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal strongly criticising his Kiwi import and appearing ready to sack him after a struggling start in France.

"Last game of the season this weekend and I hope that next season you will see us in the final," Savea tweeted.

Toulon has confirmed that Milner-Skudder has signed a three year deal and will join them in June.

Milner-Skudder, 27, has played 13 Tests for New Zealand.

Since starring in the All Blacks' World Cup win in 2015, he's struggled with injuries.

The Hurricanes and Manawatu wing-fullback will join compatriots Julian Savea, Malakai Fekitoa and Liam Messam on Toulon's books.

Just when he joins Toulon exactly though depends on whether he makes the All Blacks world cup form, which based on current selections would seem unlikely.

The three-time European champions have won only two of their eight Top 14 fixtures this season and Patrice Collazo saw the pressure on him mount against his former club.

La Rochelle had Ihaia West to thank for inspiring them to victory, the New Zealander having scored all of their points with a try, conversion and two penalties.

All Toulon could muster in response was a trio of three-pointers from Anthony Belleau, leaving them stuck in the bottom two, with only Perpignan keeping them off the foot of the table.

Savea is joining joining French club Toulon on a two year deal and will leave at the end of the Super Rugby competition.

The 27-year-old has played 54 tests for the All Blacks, scoring 46 tries, putting second on New Zealand's all-time try-scoring list behind only Doug Howlett.

Nick named the Bus Julian Savea made his debut for the All Blacks in 2012 against Ireland but struggled for form and fitness at times with his last test against the British and Irish Lions last year.

Nonu joined Toulon after winning the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"Toulon warmly thanks Ma'a Nonu for his involvement and commitment during these three seasons and wishes him and his family the best for the future," said Toulon on their website, with Nonu having played 77 matches during his time at the French side.

The 36-year-old centre scored 14 tries in 77 matches for Toulon, who lost back-to-back Top 14 finals in 2016 and 2017.

On social media Nonu said:

French media reports in December linked Kaino with Toulon as a replacement for Vermeulen, who will return to the Stormers for Super Rugby when Toulon's season ends.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) confirmed the 39-test Springbok was heading back to South Africa.

"Vermeulen is leaving, he will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours," Boudjellal said.