Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila on the charge against the Crusaders in last season's Super Rugby competition.
French club Clermont have signed Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila to a one-year deal.
Nicknamed the "Tongan Bear", the 27-year-old will leave New Zealand at the end of next year's Super Rugby season.
Uhila, whose smash-mouth hits and bulldozing runs were on show during the Hurricanes' run to a maiden title earlier this year, has an option to extend the deal by two further seasons,
He will bring his physicality to Clermont's front-row, and joins halfback Greig Laidlaw and winger Remy Grosso in signing with the Top 14 side ahead of next year.
Uhila made 15 appearances for the Hurricanes this year and has also earned 20 caps for Waikato since 2012
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/ Getty Images