Murray Taulagi RC Vannes Top 14 debut, Digi Mart USA News: Limoux was exempt from the second round of the Super XIII in late October, giving centre Jamie-Jerry Taulagi time to visit his younger brother at the RC Vannes training centre in Vannes, France. Murray Taulagi, who had just begun his first collective training sessions at the d’Aucy Park, is expected to make his Top 14 debut this weekend against UBB.
His older brother said that in Australia, Murray is the equivalent of Antoine Dupont or Romain Ntamack. Jamie-Jerry, who has had a respectable career in France with stints at Agen and Narbonne, described him as the quieter member of the family.
The brothers were raised by a mother who was a 100-metre sprinter and a father who was a boxer.
Murray is listed at 1.89 metres and 103 kilograms. Jamie-Jerry said he is solid and technically gifted, adding that he expects Murray to play at centre, and most likely in the 13 position, because of his passing on both sides, good kicking game, power and strong tackling.
Fabrice Estebanez, a former France rugby league player and current defence coach at Castres, called Murray a superstar. Murray has 125 North Queensland Cowboys appearances with 72 tries and won the 2022 Rugby League World Cup with Australia before choosing to represent Samoa.
He also took part in Queensland’s State of Origin victories in 2022 and 2023.
Estebanez said State of Origin is comparable to the Super Bowl in the United States and described it as a prestige contest in Australia. Jamie-Jerry said his brother once asked him whether life in France was good, and he replied that he had been in France for almost eight years with a French wife and children.
Estebanez suggested the move could also help Murray seek selection for Australia at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, given the visibility of the Top 14. Murray was also sidelined after a third concussion in 2026 during a training session with the North Queensland Cowboys, and six weeks of prescribed rest kept him from the NRL season’s end and from being available for Vannes early this season.
Estebanez said the transition to rugby union will require adjustments, particularly defensive shifts, strategic movement, ruck management and tackling technique. Jamie-Jerry said Murray must learn the French language quickly, as communication with teammates is the one area he sees as a potential gap.
