A magical solo try to Australian flyer Drew Mitchell has helped seal an unprecedented hattrick of European titles for Toulon as they beat French rivals Clermont 24-18 in a gripping Champions Cup final in London.
Trailing for much of the first half on Saturday despite some classy input from Wallaby hopeful Matt Giteau, Toulon took control of the match via the boot of England’s Leigh Halfpenny – before Mitchell stepped up to stamp his mark on the title match.
With 10 minutes remaining, and Toulon clinging to a one-point lead, the 63-Test Wallaby accepted a pass 40 metres out from the tryline and proceeded to step around six would-be defenders on a brilliant sweeping run.
“I saw the gap initially, and to be fair I didn’t know if I’d have the legs at that point in the game, I was a bit short of a gallop,” Mitchell said.
“I was pretty happy to get through and obviously was able to beat a few defenders.
“It’s one of those things I’ll look back on and appreciate more, but it’s a brilliant feeling at the moment.”
With the ARU relaxing their selection criteria a fortnight ago by introducing the new 60-Test rule to open the door for the likes of Giteau and Mitchell to feature in this year’s World Cup, the brilliant try was a timely reminder to selectors of what talent is available in Europe.
Giteau, who has played mostly at inside centre for Toulon this season, was moved to No.10 in a bid to spark a star-studded backline – and slipped comfortably back into the role with several classy touches and incisive runs.
The 32-year-old Wallaby veteran also laid on a first-half try to French centre Mathieu Bastareaud to give Toulon a 16-11 lead at the break.
Clermont suffered a blow before kick-off, with Australian five-eighth Brock James ruled out after suffering a thigh injury in the warm-up, with France international Camille Lopez taking his place.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Bakkies, that is irrelevant. France's IRB ranking and record shows that's an anomaly. In that same tournament they also lost to Tonga didn't they? Rare great wins do not make a great team. Consistency does that. I'll take a team that defeats all it should, over one that loses many it should win, sprinkled with the occasional huge upset.
Bakkies
Guest
Toulon must be doing something right with their injury management as they have signed a lot of injury prone players and they have played a lot more continuous Rugby than they did previously at other clubs. Wilko, van Niekerk (who failed a medical at Northampton), Juan Smith, Mitchell, Mermoz. Will be interesting to see how Halfpenny goes as Boudjallel wasn't impressed with the amount of injuries he had. I am surprised Warburton didn't take that in to consideration as he needs a change but being Welsh captain I can understand that it was better for the captain to be in Wales.
Bakkies
Guest
Sharks wouldn't have the know how to break down the Toulon defensive systems. SA also lost to Saracens on that tour.
Bakkies
Guest
and as a forward you can play in to your mid 30s and that's where a lot of the recruiting has been targeting. Particularly Australian forwards who are undervalued financially and under appreciated. These players jump at the opportunity as it is a forwards play ground and an opportunity to get better.
Bakkies
Guest
'If you’re into that, then fine, but it’s strictly popcorn matinee stuff and if you think that these players prepare for their matches at the same levels and they would a test match or sxv match then let’s not start kidding eachother.' Of course they wouldn't. They play 32 regular season games a season over a 10 month period that's before you count pre-season and finals matches. Due to the physicality levels they spend a fair amount of time in recovery which is why French strength and conditioning is lagging. You are coming across as having an almighty ignorant chip on your shoulder.
Bakkies
Guest
Juan Smith retired because he had two successive achilles injuries which the Cheetahs brought him back early from than he re-injured them. He had to go abroad to get specialist treatment and I don't think he has had a problem with it since. I think he also suffered an injury while working on his farm. Mismanagement and back luck rather than not being up to it is what led to his decline. He has shown glimpses of what he can do as the French comp suits his style of play.
Bakkies
Guest
Toulon v Chiefs was on the cards a couple of seasons back but it was difficult to get both teams at full strength due to scheduling.
Bakkies
Guest
France have also won more recently in NZ than the Wallabies have and that was with less opportunities to do it in.
ben
Guest
folaumitchell speight horne tomane aac kuridrani inman giteau foley toomua phipps genia palu mccalman higgers pocock hooper fardy gill simmons skelton jones kepu holmes alo-emile sio slipper moore polota nau latu
Ryanno
Guest
I would love to see Toulon now take on the Waratahs to see who really is best. Or wait a few weeks and play the winner of this years Super Rugby. I don't know how the powers that be can't seem to make this happen. Surely it would be easy enough to organise that the winner of the Champions Cup play the winner of Super Rugby. The owner of Toulon seems to have plenty of cash and likes winning things, surprised he hasn't already made it happen. It could be scheduled into the Super Rugby season during the setup of the draw so that current Super Rugby champs get a bye for the weekend after or 2 weeks after the Champions Cup final so they can play the game without interrupting the current Super Rugby season to much. It could be rotated yearly between locations, northern hemisphere this year, southern next e.t.c. It would draw a great crowd.
JimmyB
Guest
Sigh.
JimmyB
Guest
'Best competition in the World...' Really? Even the most ardent Super rugby fan acknowledges that as a competition Super rugby is flawed. However, if we're talking about quality of players, then of course Super rugby has a high proportion of the best players in the world, but let's not kid ourselves into thinking that all teams in Super rugby are good or that all the players are either, because there are average teams and average players in Super rugby just as there are up North or anywhere. How would you have the faintest idea how Toulon prepare for a European Cup final? Do you really believe that their preparations would be inferior to a teams for a Super rugby match?
norm de plume
Guest
Yes, I have had to re-jig my WC squad to include him and Giteau. In fact Gits is probably in more danger than Mitchell given the midfield is stronger than the flanks at the moment. Here is my new squad - amigo-free! folau mitchell speight horne tomane aac kuridrani inman giteau foley toomua phipps genia palu mccalman higgers pocock hooper fardy gill simmons skelton jones kepu holmes alo-emile sio slipper moore polota nau latu
Nigel Imrie
Guest
How about Kaino, Blues lock and current AB!!!
Mike
Guest
You could also add France wopping the Wallabies 33-6 in 2012, yet we beat England at Twickenham the following week. Their first victory against Australia since 2005 and it was a doozy. They seem to be able to pull these things out of nowhere, occasionally.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
NB, imo players don't age as much or at least the same way when they play their rugby in the SH. If at 30yo you've only played 5 months-long seasons on dry pitches for the last 10 years, have enjoyed resting periods, great conditioning with your club and national team (something euro players can only dream off), imo you'll be in better shape than if you have played 9-10 months long club seasons in cold and wet conditions for the last 10 years. I just think SH club rugby isn't as demanding as NH one for your body. Imo this explains why euro or Japanese clubs are willing to throw money at 30yo southerners: they know they still have petrol in the tank after playing SR from Feb to June/July for the last 10 years. just sayin,
bennalong
Guest
the question when Mitchell took his contract was about his ankle injury. That's in the past now. He is a great winger and I'd like to see him back in gold
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Botha retired.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Ali Williams was past his best when he last played. Juan Smith came back to play for the Boks last year from Toulon and demoted himself because he felt he wasn't up to it. Of all those names listed, how many can say they are currently top players in a top 5 international team? Only Halfpenny and Habana. I would not point to any French internationals as logic to suggest any strength in the competition. The French national team have probably had one strong performance in the last 4 years and that was at Eden Park. Both Mitchell and Giteau were on their way out when they left. Giteau demoted to the bench on the 2010 EOYT then selected in the 2nd string Samoa game, and Mitchell struggled for game time under Cheika in 2013.
Daz
Guest
I'm a big fan of Hodgson too Cole and he definitely should be in the frame as well. I've stopped pushing his barrow as much as it seems Cheika prefers others but I notice he is part of the Wallaby's leadership group so who knows.