Ben Tameifuna has reportedly provided an update on his future in rugby after spending a large part of the past few months on the sidelines with injury.
The prop has not played since May after suffering a shoulder injury, while his Bordeaux-Bègles contract is due to expire next year, leaving his future uncertain.
However, suggestions that the 35-year-old could retire appear to have been put to bed, with L'Equipe reporting that he is close to agreeing a contract extension with the back-to-back Champions Cup winners.
The French outlet reports that the deal has not yet been finalised, but negotiations are progressing positively.
Even if an agreement is not reached in the immediate future, the talks indicate that Tameifuna is keen to continue his professional career.
Set to turn 36 next year, the tighthead began his professional career with Hawke’s Bay before joining the Chiefs in 2012. He helped the New Zealand side win back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013.
After four seasons in New Zealand, Tameifuna moved to France with Racing 92 in 2015 and won the Top 14 title the following year.
He joined Bordeaux-Bègles in 2020 and has since established himself as an important member of their forward pack, helping the club win consecutive Champions Cup titles in 2025 and 2026.
Tameifuna was selected to train with the All Blacks in 2012 but never earned a cap for New Zealand.
Eligible to represent Tonga through his ancestry, he made his international debut against Wales in 2017.
The powerful prop is renowned for his enormous size and strength, having weighed more than 130kg during his time with the All Blacks training squad.
Speaking about his shoulder injury and recovery, Tameifuna said he is progressing well and hopes to return for Bordeaux-Bègles' opening Champions Cup match against Gloucester next weekend.
“The shoulder’s much better now. I had the operation and it’s feeling pretty good. I’ll hopefully be back on the field in the next couple of weeks."
The 10 heaviest rugby players of all-time – ranked
Rugby has always been a sport for players of all shapes and sizes.
But some have taken the word heavyweight to another level.
From giant Springbok props to towering French forwards, some of the biggest players in rugby history have weighed close to 170kg.
We’ve ranked the 10 heaviest players to have played international rugby, using their reported peak or listed playing weights.
10. Frans Malherbe – 140kg
Country: South AfricaPosition: Prop
A two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the finest tighthead props of his generation.
Malherbe has regularly been listed around the 140kg mark during his career, using that enormous frame to become a cornerstone of the Springbok scrum.
9. Taniela Tupou – 140kg
Country: AustraliaPosition: Prop
There aren't many 140kg players capable of moving like Taniela Tupou.
Nicknamed the 'Tongan Thor', the Wallabies prop became famous for combining huge power with remarkable pace and handling ability.
8. James Johnston – 145kg
Country: SamoaPosition: Prop
The former Harlequins and Saracens tighthead was one of the biggest players in English rugby during his prime.
Johnston won 16 caps for Samoa and tipped the scales at around 145kg.
7. Emmanuel Meafou – 145kg
Country: FrancePosition: Lock
At more than two metres tall and around 145kg, Emmanuel Meafou is an enormous presence.
The Toulouse powerhouse was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia before eventually representing France at Test level.
6. Will Skelton – 148kg
Country: AustraliaPosition: Lock
One of the most recognisable giants in modern rugby.
Standing 6ft 8in, Skelton has been listed as high as 148kg during his career.
Despite his size, the Wallabies lock has impressive hands and has developed into one of the world's most influential second-rows.
5. Posolo Tuilagi – 149kg
Country: FrancePosition: Lock
Size clearly runs in the Tuilagi family.
The son of former Samoa international Henry Tuilagi, Posolo has been listed at around 149kg.
He made his France debut in 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the most physically imposing young forwards in Test rugby.
4. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – 150kg
Country: South AfricaPosition: Prop
The Springbok tighthead is one of the heaviest players in the modern game.
Ntlabakanye has been listed at around 150kg, but his mobility has helped him make an impact well beyond the scrum.
3. Uini Atonio – 155kg
Country: FrancePosition: Prop
For years, Uini Atonio was one of the biggest sights in international rugby.
The giant France and La Rochelle prop reached a reported playing weight of around 155kg during his career.
Remarkably, he combined that size with an ability to get through a huge amount of work.
2. Ben Tameifuna – 160kg
Country: TongaPosition: Prop
Few players have carried 160kg around a rugby field quite like Ben Tameifuna.
The Tonga captain has admitted that his weight reached the 160kg mark during his career.
Even at his biggest, Tameifuna has remained surprisingly mobile and possesses excellent handling skills for a tighthead.
1. Bill Cavubati – 167kg
Country: FijiPosition: Prop
The heavyweight king.
Bill Cavubati was reportedly 167kg when he represented Fiji against New Zealand in 2005.
That makes the former Hurricanes and Wellington prop widely recognised as the heaviest player ever to win a full international rugby cap.
Despite his extraordinary size, Cavubati won 38 caps for Fiji during a Test career spanning a decade.
At almost 26 stone, it is a record that may take some beating.
