Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has reflected on lock Rusi Tuima’s summer move to Newcastle Falcons, acknowledging that the club made the best offer they could to retain the 25-year-old, who has spent his entire professional career at Sandy Park.

Tuima, a former England Under-20 international, has agreed a two-year deal with Newcastle Red Bulls and will leave Exeter at the end of the season. Since making his debut in 2019, he has scored 20 tries in 74 appearances, making him a valuable asset for the Chiefs over the past seven years.

Baxter Comments on Tuima’s Departure

“We offered Rusi a contract—we’d have liked him to stay,” Baxter told BBC Sport.
“But every club goes through this when players who have come through their system move on. We couldn’t match the offer Newcastle put forward, and he had to make the decision for his future and his family. I completely understand that.”

Baxter stressed that there are no negative feelings, and Tuima remains a full squad member for the remainder of the season:

“He’s still a squad member to the end of the season, and I expect him to take full part in everything. He’s a good guy and will work hard. It’s just one of those financial squad situations.”

Tuima and Hodge Join Newcastle

Tuima is the second Exeter player to agree a summer move to Kingston Park, following full-back Josh Hodge, who will return to his former club after five years in Devon. Both players have previously received call-ups to England’s “A” side.

Newcastle’s recruitment drive also includes high-profile additions such as New Zealand international Hoskins Sotutu and Argentina lock Franco Molina, as the Red Bull-owned club ramps up investment in its squad.

Red Bull Investment and Future Prospects

Baxter believes that the off-field investment from Red Bull will pay dividends for Newcastle over the coming years. He highlighted improvements in areas like travel management, sports science, coaching, and facilities, which could help the Falcons become a more competitive side:

“You would think quite quickly they’ll be stronger on paper, but the bigger influence of Red Bull will be over the next three years. If they get their academy, coaching, and facilities right, it will build a really strong team year on year.”

Financial Realities in Professional Rugby

Baxter also noted how squad pay structures and the presence of frontline locks like Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin limited the Chiefs’ ability to make Tuima a competitive offer. He emphasized that player departures are often shaped as much by financial considerations as by ambition:

“It’s a level every club reaches where they have to balance recruiting and keeping talent. Newcastle could make a stronger offer, and Rusi made the right choice for his career.”