New Zealand centre of Tongan descent Pita Akhi, who arrived in Toulouse in 2018, will bring forward his departure from Top 14 by a few months to sign on 1 December 2025 with the Auckland Blues, the club where he came through and to which he will now return.

Stade Toulousain announced in a statement on Wednesday evening the departure of their emblematic centre Pita Ahki, who will leave the club on 1 December 2025 to join the New Zealand franchise the Auckland Blues, where he began his rich career. He was contracted until June 2026, but this early agreement stems from a joint decision between the player, the club and the New Zealand franchise.

Having arrived in Toulouse in the summer of 2018 from the Irish province Connacht Rugby, Ahki established himself as an essential part of the Rouge et Noir squad. Over seven seasons, and now aged 33, he took part in every major final: five French championship titles (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025) and two European Cup wins (2021, 2024). He was notably admired for his ball-carrying, his solidity in defence and a physical presence that made him a pillar of the dressing room.

A return to the land of the long white cloud

The Toulouse club say they accepted his request for an early departure “with emotion“, feeling that his long contribution deserved a fitting send-off. Club president Didier Lacroix says that from 1 December, “we will have a new ambassador on New Zealand soil“. Stade Toulousain plan to pay tribute to the player at round 11 of Top 14, at home to Racing 92 at the end of November, before he leaves. The player himself cites “family reasons” to explain the choice, while making sure to thank the Rouge et Noir.

“I have taken the incredibly difficult decision to move on. This club and everyone in it have made up a big part of my life and I will always be grateful for the friendships, memories and experiences I have been lucky enough to enjoy along the way,” Pita Ahki said in the club’s statement, referring to “seven unforgettable years“. “Leaving is not an easy decision, but it is a family decision and nothing is more important. I feel the timing is right, with the chance to keep playing professional rugby while bringing my little family home to be closer to our loved ones.”

As for his future, Ahki will link up again with the Auckland Blues, the club where he started out in Super Rugby before leaving for Europe, thus coming full circle in his professional career. The departure of such a player in mid-season is a turning point for Toulouse, who have nevertheless been preparing his replacement for several weeks with the arrival of Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello.