Ben Te'o reflects on Manu Tuilagi's possible move from Leicester to Racing 92 by declaring "It's a business".
Tuilagi will make a decision on whether to accept the lucrative offer to play in the Top 14 – thereby making him unavailable for England selection – after the Guinness Six Nations.
The Lions centre has admitted being torn by the dilemma of turning his back on international rugby and the only club he has played for in order to accept a three-season deal worth in the region of £2.5million.
"Manu loves being at Leicester, but we can't go to where other teams can with finances. "We hope that he will stay but if he doesn't it will be onwards and upwards." Geordan Murphy gave an update on Manu Tuilagi's potential move earlier today 🐯 pic.twitter.com/5RZLA848t1 — Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) February 24, 2019
Dual code international Te'o, who has spent club union spells at Leinster and Worcester, insists finances are key to any decision.
"Manu has to do what's best for him," Te'o said. "We've all got decisions to make in this game.
"You've got to secure your family. It's a business, you know. It's his decision – for him and his family.
"I don't really have any advice for him, he has to make up his own mind and I'm sure he will."
Te'o himself will be out of contract at Worcester at the end of the season and the 32-year-old has yet to decide what his future holds.
He continued: "I said to myself that I'd come to the Six Nations and enjoy it, enjoy the experience, try to win it and after that I can focus on what happens.
"There are only two weeks left to go and then I can start planning."
Te'o is the son of a Samoan father and having played for Samoa as a rugby league international, is opposed to the proposal for the creation of a World League that would exclude the Pacific Islands.
We will stand up for the future of Pacific Island rugby. We will be heard. #playersunited Full story here https://t.co/06ktY53hvx pic.twitter.com/tkWIKRFofL — PacificRugbyPlayers (@PacificIslandPA) February 28, 2019
The global tournament that is the brainchild of World Rugby has been criticised for favouring richer nations at the expense of the likes of Samoa, Fiji and Georgia.
"The Island nations are rugby nations that give a lot to the game, in the past and in the present," Te'o said.
"Financially they are unions who need a lot of help.
"Coming from rugby league, the biggest thing about union is that it's a global game. That's it's real selling point and where it has the advantage.
"You have to look after the smaller nations."
Te'o would have started the 32-20 victory over Ireland on February 2 but for a side strain and he has watched from the sidelines since due to Tuilagi taking his chance at inside centre.
"I wouldn't say it's frustrating because you have to come to terms with these things. I was happy to see the boys on fire in Dublin and really rip into France," Te'o said.
"It's unfortunate when you miss out but you have to think about the team and the squad.
"I was just so happy it went well and to see Manu back firing after a few tough years for him. Maybe we'll get the chance to play together one time."
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