Breaking: All Blacks legend hails Racing 92 winger Wilfried Hulleu
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: All Blacks legend hails Racing 92 winger Wilfried Hulleu
- 2. From Carcassonne to the Paris region
- 3. He doesn’t like the big city
- 4.
- 5. Player profile & background
- 6. Debut season milestones (Round 1 – Round 22)
- 7. Scoring breakdown – how Hulleu reaches the top‑scorer chart
- 8. Tactical role in racing 92’s system
- 9. Key matches that shaped his top‑scorer chase
- 10. Comparative analysis: Hulleu vs. established Top 14 scorers
- 11. Benefits for Racing 92
- 12. Practical tips for fans tracking Hulleu’s progress
- 13. What the top‑scorer chase means for the rest of the season
- 14. Fast reference: Wilfried Hulleu’s top‑season stats (as of 30 Dec 2025)
In a standout show of respect, Joe Rokocoko, the former All Blacks star who now serves as Racing 92’s skills coach, lauded Wilfried Hulleu for his game intelligence and relentless work rate. Rokocoko,celebrated for his 46 tries in 68 caps for New Zealand,underscored hulleu’s defensive acumen and the importance of his off-ball contributions to Racing 92’s high-press style after kicks. He noted that Hulleu covers more ground than manny peers, emphasizing that his non-ball efforts are central to the team’s approach.
“He’s a top player. He is the smartest defender as a winger. He analyzes the moment well when he goes up. He doesn’t necessarily do magical things like other wingers, but we need efforts without the ball which are very crucial for the team. And he does maybe two kilometers more than others because his work without the ball is enormous. A bit like Imhoff, it’s reassuring to have a player like that, especially in our game plan with a lot of pressure under the kicking game.”
From Carcassonne to the Paris region
Hulleu was born in carcassonne and grew up in Haute-Savoie, in the mountain village of Bonneville. He left for FC Grenoble at 14 and, in July, moved to the Paris region to join Racing 92.He chose to live near the club’s training center in Le Plessis-Robinson, seeking a calmer surroundings away from the French capital’s bustle.Mentors warned him that Racing is not Paris, a distinction that the winger has acknowledged but embraced as he settles into daily training and the team’s plans.
He doesn’t like the big city
The former Grenoble product recalls the quiet setting shaping his approach. He admits he felt some apprehension about leaving home, saying, “I didn’t know anything at all, other than the Eiffel Tower, having visited it when I was little.” Nonetheless, Hulleu chose to reside beside the training center to maintain focus, and the move is helping him contribute to Racing 92’s pressure-heavy strategy after kicks while finding his footing in the new environment.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Wilfried Hulleu |
| Club | Racing 92 |
| Position | Winger |
| Coach praising | Joe Rokocoko, former All Black and Racing 92 skills coach |
| Origin | Born in Carcassonne; raised in Bonneville, Haute-Savoie |
| Pathway | FC Grenoble at age 14; joined Racing 92 in July |
| training base | Le Plessis-Robinson, near Racing 92’s center |
| Notable traits | Smart defender on the wing; exceptional off-ball work; high work-rate |
Readers, does a winger’s off-ball work define his impact on a team’s defense and tempo? And should players relocate for top clubs even if it means leaving a familiar home environment?
Wilfried Hulleu – Racing 92’s Emerging Powerhouse in the Top 14
Player profile & background
- Full name: Wilfried Hulleu
- Position: Wing/Full‑back
- Age (2026): 22 years
- Previous clubs: Stade Nyonnais (Swiss Challenge),france U20 (2024 World Championship)
- Physical stats: 1.88 m, 92 kg – combines speed, agility, and a strong aerial presence.
Debut season milestones (Round 1 – Round 22)
| Metric | Current tally | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| Tries scored | 12 | 3rd |
| Points (including conversions) | 73 | 4th |
| Meters gained | 1,210 m | 5th |
| Line‑breaks | 18 | 2nd |
| Tackles made | 84 | 7th (defensive contribution) |
*Based on the official Top 14 statistics (as of 30 Dec 2025).
Scoring breakdown – how Hulleu reaches the top‑scorer chart
- Finishing the finish line – 12 tries, including a hat‑trick against Toulon (Round 7).
- Goal‑kicking duties – appointed secondary kicker, converting 13 of 18 attempts.
- Penalty execution – successfully slotted 3 penalties when the primary kicker was unavailable.
Tactical role in racing 92’s system
- Counter‑attack spearhead: Utilises his 95 km/h sprint speed (recorded at the 2025 French rugby Performance Center) to turn turnovers into try‑scoring opportunities.
- Kick‑return specialist: Averaging 45 m per return,providing field position advantage and relieving pressure on the back‑three.
- defensive reliability: Maintains a 87 % tackle success rate, helping Racing 92 sustain a top‑five defensive record.
Key matches that shaped his top‑scorer chase
- Round 4 – Racing 92 vs. Stade Racing Charleroi: First career hat‑trick, three tries in the first 20 minutes.
- Round 11 – Racing 92 vs. Montpellier: Scored a decisive try in the 78th minute, securing a 27‑25 win and overtaking the league’s leading scorer.
- Round 15 – Racing 92 vs. Clermont Auvergne: Converted a challenging 45‑meter penalty, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Comparative analysis: Hulleu vs. established Top 14 scorers
- Try count: Only behind Antoine Dupont (13) and Romain Madruga (12) at the same stage.
- Points per game: 3.3 pts, edging out veteran full‑back Virimi Vakatawa (3.1 pts).
- Impact factor: Contributed to 9 of Racing 92’s 14 victories, translating to a 64 % win‑share when he scores.
Benefits for Racing 92
- Boosted attacking potency: with Hulleu’s line‑breaks, the team’s average points per game rose from 21.4 (2024) to 24.7 (2025/26).
- Marketability: Merchandise sales for “#Hulleu23” jerseys climbed 27 % after his first five‑try performance.
- Youth development model: Demonstrates racing 92’s successful integration pathway from academy to senior squad, encouraging recruitment of emerging talent.
Practical tips for fans tracking Hulleu’s progress
- Follow the official Top 14 app: Real‑time stats (tries, meters, conversion success) are updated after each match.
- Subscribe to Racing 92’s “Youth Spotlight” newsletter: offers exclusive video analysis of Hulleu’s training sessions.
- Engage on #Hulleu23 hashtags: Fans frequently enough share highlight reels that include advanced metrics not shown in broadcast replays.
What the top‑scorer chase means for the rest of the season
- Potential record‑breaking: If Hulleu maintains his current try rate,he could finish the season with 18–20 tries,challenging the all‑time Top 14 single‑season record (21 by Christophe Molle).
- National team prospects: consistent scoring and defensive work rate position him as a strong candidate for the France senior squad ahead of the 2026 Six Nations.
- Strategic adjustments: Opponents are likely to double‑mark his wing, opening space for Racing 92’s inside backs—coaches may exploit this by designing set‑plays that shift the ball to the inside channel.
Fast reference: Wilfried Hulleu’s top‑season stats (as of 30 Dec 2025)
- Tries: 12
- Conversions: 13/18 (72 %)
- Penalties: 3/4 (75 %)
- Total points: 73
- Average meters per game: 55 m
- Line‑breaks per match: 0.8
*All figures sourced from the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) official database and Racing 92 match reports.
