Harry Plummer continues hot run as AJ Lam features in Clermont's defeat

One Test former All Black Harry Plummer has starred for the second week in a row in France, despite Clermont falling to their second defeat of the 2026/27 Top 14 season, 46-24, against Bayonne.

Plummer, who featured off the bench in the All Blacks‘ 31–28 win over the Wallabies in November 2024, has excelled in France after leading the Blues to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific championship in New Zealand.

The ex-All Black is in his second season at Clermont after a successful first campaign. Plummer finished on top of the point-scoring table for the 2025/26 season with 295 points, six tries, 37 penalties, 71 conversions, and four drop-goals.

Plummer has been joined by former Blues teammate and All Blacks XV midfielder AJ Lam, who started outside his long-time first-five for the first time in Clermont colours against Bayonne.

Lam has featured predominantly off the bench so far in 2026, coming on to score in the final minute against Lyon in week one, before a short cameo in his side’s victory over Stade Français Paris.

Clermont were within touching distance of Bayonne on Sunday morning before a red card to Marcos Kremer saw the game slip away.

The one-Test All Blacks’ five-pointer came late in the first half, a much-needed try, with Clermont trailing by 24 before Plummer’s score. Despite Plummer’s best efforts, his side couldn’t contain Bayonne in the final quarter, with the home side running in three unanswered tries to clinch victory.

During Clermont’s 25-16 triumph in round two against Stade Francais Paris, Plummer came up with two incredible plays on both sides of the ball.

The former All Black chipped ahead before regathering and finding his teammate with an inside ball to set up the all-important try.

 

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With the game on the line, the former Blues playmaker came up with a clutch defensive play to help get his side over the line for their first win of the season.

Plummer tracked back to take down the Stade Français attacker before getting on his feet at lightning speed to claim a breakdown turnover penalty deep inside Clermont’s 22.

 

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Clermont currently sits in ninth place after three games, with Lyon the only unbeaten side left in the Top 14 competition.

Plummer and Lam’s Clermont will host Castres in round four, before next weekend’s clash against French heavyweights, La Rochelle.