Chiefs back-rower Sione Lauaki could be set for a move to France © Getty Images

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Teams: Chiefs | Clermont Auvergne | New Zealand

Chiefs coach Ian Foster has refused to comment on reports that troubled loose forward Sione Lauaki has signed for Top 14 giants Clermont Auvergne.

Reports in Midi Olympique suggested that the 17-cap All Black has signed with Clermont, who are coached by Kiwi Vern Cotter. Foster was tight-lipped at training prior to the Chiefs' final Super 14 game of the season.

"I have nothing to say because I don't know," he said. "I'm more than happy to answer questions once it's formalised, if indeed it is formalised. It's been a complicated two or three weeks for him. It hasn't been easy for him, but he's okay."

Clermont director of sport Jean Marc Lhermet confirmed that the club had been following Lauaki for some time and that the player wants to "revive his career in France".

"He's a player that we've been following for a long time," he told Midi Olympique. "He wants to revive his career in France, and it is a great opportunity for the club to sign a player of the kind of calibre we are looking for. He'll boost our squad with penetrating runs and power. We're very happy to have such a player. He's had a remarkable Super 14 season."

Lauaki has been involved in several scrapes with the law this season and was recently charged with careless driving after his car left the road and crashed through a fence three weeks ago after he fell asleep at the wheel.

Tests showed that Lauaki had been drinking, but he was well below the legal alcohol limit. He will reappear in Hamilton District Court on June 24 on a separate matter, having pleaded guilty to a charge of assault in March after an incident in a bar. Lauaki was remanded after his lawyer applied for a discharge without conviction, saying his client had received an offer to play overseas.