La Rochelle sign Tevita Ofa to cover injured centres

Short of fit centres, La Rochelle have gone to New Zealand for reinforcements ahead of their trip to Lyon.

Tevita Ofa, 24, joins La Rochelle from Counties Manukau, with whom he plays in New Zealand’s provincial championship (NPC), mainly at centre. Educated at Wesley College in Auckland and then at the Chiefs academy, he played 14 Super Rugby games for Moana Pasifika in 2025 and 2026, mostly on the wing and at full-back. “Able to play on the wing, at centre and at full-back, he will bring his versatility to the Yellow and Blacks for three months,” the club said in a statement.

Six backs on the injury list

Signing a medical joker requires a player to be out for at least three months. La Rochelle have no shortage of candidates. Jonathan Danty (knee), George Moala (arm), Semi Lagivala (hand), Ulupano Seuteni (pectoral), David Kriel (Achilles) and Jules Favre (shoulder) have all been unavailable in recent weeks. Lagivala and Kriel could return soon, but Moala’s absence is set to last.

On Saturday, Ronan O’Gara therefore handed the number 13 shirt to Davit Niniashvili, a wing or full-back by trade. La Rochelle won 38-13 with a try bonus, but the coach then named Niniashvili (shoulder) and Nolann Le Garrec (hamstring) among the players hurt during the game.

Absences across the squad

The backs are not the only problem. In the second row, Will Skelton (Achilles) and Salmaan Moerat (neck) have yet to play this season, and back-rower Sam Tuifua injured his thigh in round one. In the front row, injuries to Sione Ahio and Zak Price forced the club to recall young tighthead Gael Galvan, on loan at Agen, to prepare for the Clermont game.

A trip to Lyon

Seventh on 13 points, La Rochelle travel to Lyon on Saturday at 4.35pm in round six. Sixth-placed Lyon have also lost several tightheads and have lost their last two games.