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.”
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Lock is looking much better now with Coleman and Arnold. They were desperately needed. I think Aus will be a contender by the end of 2017. They struggled through their transition but McMahon, Coleman, Timani, Arnold, DHP and Kerevi will be ready to push the team forward this year.
adastra32
Guest
Toulon can cheer themselves up with a win but for much of the game they looked pretty clueless against Sale who are themselves struggling in the AP; Saracens away for them this week....;-)
Browny
Roar Rookie
Gill is back for the 2019 SR season, isn't he? I can't imagine his running and linking game diminishing too much, that seems to come so naturally to him, but perhaps his time in the Top 14/EU will allow him to add to his breakdown and set piece components of his game (not that they're shabby as is!) Good place to be in for the RWC with the big 4 all back in town and potentially another one or two youngsters putting their hat in the ring after getting some good time starting at SR level with the vacancies of Gill and Pocock. I also like that we'll have a variety of styles of 7 in our ranks; the head-in-dark-places specialist Pocock, the wide running menace Hooper, and the abrasive McMahon plus the all rounder Gill. Not to mention the potential rise of any of the other current 'tier 2' flankers in Reid, Gunn, Alcock, Fainga'a, etc. If we could just get the rest of our pack to have the same depth...
Phil
Guest
I didn't see this game but have watched a couple of Toulon games recently and I must say Gill really looks good while JOC looks a shadow of the player he used to be.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Good to see Giteau back. I thought Bastereaud played well. JOC not so much. Nonu had a mixed game, some ordinary decisions. Gill is playing well. I hope he returns at around 26 a millionare and hardened to grab a test jumper.