‘I'm James Bond': Toulon president'st bizarre Fekitoa obfuscation

Malakai Fekitoa has reportedly signed to play for French rugby club Toulon, though their owner has taken a bizarre stance on confirming the claim.

French newspaper L’Equipe reports club president Mourad Boudjellal has announced that an All Blacks centre who had won a World Cup was on his way. The newspaper said the 25-yearold signed with the French club this month.

Boudjellal said the signing was “the biggest coup of the summer in the transfer market”.

Toulon has dismissed the reports, saying rumours remain just that until confirmed by their official channels.

But speaking with Radio Sport yesterday, Boudjellal could be neither shaken nor stirred to provide a response.

Boudjellal answered the call saying he was “James Bond” before hanging up.

The son of Algerian immigrants, Boudjellal is a self-made tycoon and has bankrolled Toulon’s rise from France’s lower leagues to triple European champions.

His strategy has focused on signing some of the world’s best players, often at the expense of their national team.

Fekitoa, who has played 24 tests after making his debut in 2014, is a quality midfielder and adds significantly to New Zealand Rugby’s depth.

He also showed his worth for the Highlanders in their famous comefrom-behind victory over the Lions in Dunedin last month when he and Waisake Naholo caused the tourists all sorts of trouble.

But he is now behind Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Anton LienertBrown, Ngani Laumape and Crusaders 22-year-old Jack Goodhue in the All Blacks’ midfield pecking order.