Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Bastareaud the butt of weather jokes as he adjusts to winter in New York

By Josh Raisey
Mathieu Bastareaud has gone from touring with the Barbarians last month to his new club in New York (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

For a player who is used to the warmer climes of the French riviera playing for Toulon, a move to New York during the winter has hit former France centre Mathieu Bastareaud. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The 31-year-old has been one of Major League Rugby’s biggest additions ahead of the new season in February, and he is set to play for Rugby United New York. 

However, photos from his new team suggest he is taking some time to acclimatise, being wrapped up at what looks like a snowy training session. 

New York experienced a snow squall during the week and the centre shared on Instagram that is was -8°C, which is roughly 20°C colder than in Toulon currently. 

As a result, Bastareaud has been the butt of a few jokes from fans who think he may now be questioning his move.

He still has a few months to adjust before the season gets underway, but the weather may not improve for a while.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bastareaud’s American message came at the end of a huge week for Major League Rugby following the announcement that Tendai Mtawarira, the World Cup-winning South Africa prop, has signed for Old Glory DC, the Washington-based franchise. 

WATCH: Foden: Stateside is the compelling RugbyPass documentary on Ben Foden’s switch to Rugby United New York in Major League Rugby

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer, New Zealand's goal kicking woes Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer
Search