Two late penalties from Australian five-eighth Brock James helped Clermont edge past struggling Bordeaux 28-24 in French rugby’s Top 14 on Friday.
It was a relief for coach Vern Cotter who made 14 changes to the Clermont team which defeated Leinster in the European Cup last weekend.
Leading 12-9 at the interval, Clermont conceded two tries in the space of five second-half minutes with Louis-Benoit Madaule and New Zealand hooker Ole Avei both scoring for Bordeaux.
With Bordeaux 24-22 ahead with just seven minutes remaining, James, who replaced David Skrela, nudged his team in front before securing victory with another successful kick in the final minute.
“Bordeaux had prepared for this match for a few weeks and you could see that in the tackle, they played out of their skins,” said Cotter.
“We were under pressure in the first 20 minutes. But we are satisfied with the group. We made 14 changes and I was delighted with the spirit.
“We learnt a lot from the first half — Brock James, in particular, in terms of territory and placement.”
The win lifted Clermont into second place on the ladder, three points behind leaders Toulon who go to second-bottom Agen on Saturday.
Bakkies
Guest
Better money + quality of life as a pro Rugby player and he doesn't have to play Shute Shield?
Bakkies
Guest
Not as good as Smith, Salvi, Faingaa (Colby) and Hooper. With Pocock there now I can't see him cracking the Brumbies.
SkinnyKid
Guest
Why didnt Vanderglass ever get a decent crack at the Brumbies....? From memory be love the hard stuff and was super quick and skillfull
SkinnyKid
Guest
Andrew Farley is there too...most people will have no idea who he is but another talented bloke who spent his life all over EU playing rather than that back home.
SkinnyKid
Guest
Last 5 years? Burke was the last great player and dead eye goal kicker we have had. I've been belting on about it for 10 years that I cant understand why we seem to leave so many more point out there than the other top teams but dont seem to do much about it. PS - Brock and Gill are prime examples of why union needs to invest in all states...not just a few. Talent is going to waste everywhere.
Bakkies
Guest
I think Hegarty decided to get a release from the Brumbies so he could play some matches and work on his game in a league that prides itself front row set piece work. He will probably come back when Moore moves on.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Who saw Grenoble beat Toulouse on the weekend? 3 Brumbies boys, Ben Hand, Vanderglass and hooker Hegarty all played starring roles with their Auusie lock skipper, amazing result
Rockin Rod
Guest
Hilgendorf started last 5 games for Rebels this year, he is now teaching at the Kings School in sydney and working for Sports Management IMG. Jimmy has also beeen told from the Western Force to keep fit
Hightackle
Roar Rookie
He will be 34 and Aust doesnt select overseas based players...yet.
AndyS
Guest
Both good players and ultimately victims of the Force second year change of direction. Giteau and Mitchell in as "stars" that were going to make it all happen, James and Hilgendorf moved on. Ironically given the territory style of football played by both the Force and Wallabies over the last few years, James was moved on largely because he was perceived as a player more suited to "northern" football with all that kicking for territory rather than attacking.
hoqni
Roar Rookie
ARU should keep James in view for RWC 2015, when it is played across the channel where he lives, and with all the knowledge that he has of 75% of the opponents
Ra
Guest
Merry Xmas HT I would shout you a Taranaki Bitter, but thankfully it lost its fizz ages ago, almost as foul as that Hawkes Bay leopard urine,
atlas
Guest
Explain? Do you object to overseas players in ITM rugby? The ones that have come to Taranaki have been welcomed, many have stayed after competing their rugby careers, and due to the low pay on offer they have to work as well - clubs assist with this, and requirement they play a full season of club rugby, are a far better 'fit' than the big-time pro players in higher-up comps who breeze in for the money and head away end of season.. One player from Fiji married a neighbour/friend of ours, adopted her 2 kids and mentored the son in a rugby career, that son is now playing professionally - in Queensland!. All adds to the game.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
ANd all those Fijians and others that played in their comps?
atlas
Guest
were they all from taranaki too . . . I'll add them to the list! I thought Crowe was a leagiue though, and Pavlova some dancing sheila? Add Fiji captain Deacon Manu, Taranaki born and schooled, same high school as John Mitchell and current ABs Conrad Smith + Beauden Barrett. Nothing like small-town local pride. Be good to see more overseas players in ITM, like the two from Japan (Otago) who have Super contracts for next year.
Johnno
Guest
And Brian Henderson, and Brendon Julian lol
Hightackle
Guest
Well if he played in the Naki he is a kiwi. 1 becuz Ive been told that NZ doesnt use foriegn players in its comps and 2 becuz you stole R.Crowe, the Finn bros, Dragon, Fred Hollows, Joe Bjelke Peterson, Derryn Hinch and the pavlova. P.S. We handballed you Crowe and Peterson and I hate pav.
Comet
Guest
I saw him play in the 1995 Adelaide under 16s grand final for the victorious Old Collegians. The fact he can kick goals must count against him for Wallaby selection. Over the last five years the selectors have had a distinct preference for erratic kickers. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
atlas
Guest
Ra - I thought I was the only one who remembered James and Hilgendorf from their Taranaki days! Hazy memories, when James went to play for Western Force under John Mitchell, he wanted to play another season of NPC (now ITM Cup) but Mitchell ruled that out for some peculiar reason (he has plenty of them!) despite JM being a Taranaki man originally. I watch Top 14 and follow progress of a few ex Taranaki players; until last year Paul Tito's 2nd career with Cardiff Blues. Now another one who's done well in France is Census Johnston the prop, plays for Samoa too, but 2006 was a Taranaki man for a season. And Chris Masoe, 2012 French player of the year.
Ra
Guest
Call this boy a classic world class journey man as of right. I don't know what his play was like in Australia, but he and James Hilgendorf played fantastic NPC and Ranfurley Shield rugby for Taranaki in the early 2000's. They are still regarded highly by Taranaki people as rugby players, as guys and as great ambassadors for their country. A big call for rugby mad Taranaki. But the guys deserve it.They were sited by Kiwi super rugby teams when that competition got started, but returned home instead. Brock James had and judging by this article, still has a radar boot, who kicked Taranaki clear on many occasions. Hilgendorf was a terrific running fullback and James dominated games with recision from five eight. They must of had some sort of ancient Aboriginal sign language because their combination and ability to find each other on the field was uncanny. Maybe both of these boys should have got a call up by Robbie this year? Below is an extract from a report of a game in 2004 when James marked up against Daniel Carter for Taranaki against the much vaunted Canterbury team. Taranaki’s Australian duo of first five-eighth Brock James and fullback James Hilgendorf contributed 25 points, with Hilgendorf scoring two tries and playmaker James kicking three penalties and three conversions. With two minutes remaining, James gave his team a little more breathing space by kicking his third penalty goal to make it 30-23 and the home side held on desperately until the final whistle. This apparently was Taranaki's first win over Canterbury in an NPC fixture since 1978, but you can read the mach report yourselves. http://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/sport/?id=794 Good on ya Brock, a great Aussie battler.