The Roar's Super Rugby expert tips and predictions, Round 9: Big test for Les, Blues backed to best Brumbies
Fijian Drua will try to end the 7-0 streak of the table-topping Hurricanes to kick off a spicy weekend of action that has split…
Matt Giteau has boosted Toulon in his return from a long injury lay-off as the French rugby side beat Sale in the European Champions Cup.
The 34-year-old Wallabies playmaker came off the bench in the second half having overcome a broken ankle suffered playing for Australia in the Rugby Championship in August.
The Top 14 side, also boasting former Wallabies James O’Connor at wing and flanker Liam Gill, scored two tries in the last four minutes to claim a 27-12 victory over the English side.
All Black Ma’a Nonu crossed early to give home side Toulon the lead at Stade Felix Mayol on Sunday (Monday morning AEDT).
But the Sharks quickly hit back through a converted Sam James score to take a 7-5 lead at the interval.
Toulon reclaimed their advantage through South African flyer Bryan Habana’s try just before the hour and, with Sale responding immediately with their second try.
It was the star-studded French side who finished the stronger as Jonathan Pelissie and Josua Tuisova both touched down.
Sale boss Steve Diamond singled out opposition substitute Giteau in praising his side for their gallantry despite their 16th-straight Champions Cup defeat.
“The scoreline didn’t reflect the game. The first 60-65 minutes it was a very good game, but their bench made the difference in the end,” Diamond said.
“Matt Giteau came on and made a big difference for them, but there was a lot of pride in our performance.”
Three-time winners Toulon meet Champions Cup holders Saracens next weekend and French centre Mathieu Bastareaud urged his side to improve.
“We were concentrating too much on the bonus point too soon. We played very poorly, especially in the first half,” Bastareaud said.
“We have to be more disciplined and we have to make better use of our possession if we want to stay in this competition – we kicked too often and we weren’t good at the breakdown.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Fijian Drua will try to end the 7-0 streak of the table-topping Hurricanes to kick off a spicy weekend of action that has split…
Four years after getting a taste of international coaching, Geoff Parling will return as the Wallabies’ new lineout coach. The Roar can reveal the…
And then, there were four. Super Rugby Women's enters it's final fortnight, and with the Reds and Rebels campaigns coming to a close, this…
Kurtley Beale will play his first Super Rugby match in 1494 days after being rushed straight into the Western Force's lineup to take on…
Izack Rodda’s stop-start career at the Western Force is about to get the green light once again, with the experienced Wallaby set to make…
At the midway point of the season, aside from the Western Force, the Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams have had a relatively successful campaign.…