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TOP 14Rugby New YorkToulonMathieu Bastareaud

Bastareaud is proving quite the hit in New York

France's Mathieu Bastareaud is tackled by Ireland pair CJ Stander (L) and Jack Carty in March (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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After much anticipation, France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has signed a landmark deal with Major League Rugby outfit Rugby United New York. 

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The 30-year-old shared an image on Instagram of the new shirt that he will be wearing during the first half of 2020. This is a landmark deal, which will see him take a six-month loan in America from Toulon after the World Cup in Japan later this year. 

Many have questioned how the hulking midfielder will fare in the fledgling American league, as he is still a top-class player on the European scene.

The 19-stone back has already become quite the tourist in his new temporary home, sharing photos of Central Park, Grand Central Station and Times Square on his Instagram story of his new home come January. This is what he shared: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byn1bH_ISne/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

Likewise, Rugby United New York shared the photos on Twitter of the 54-cap Frenchman signing his new contract in what is a breakthrough deal for the league and rugby in the United States as a whole. 

While he has former England international Ben Foden in his team and former Toulon team-mate Samu Manoa playing for Seattle Seawolves, he is the first player at the top of his game to arrive in the league.

This move is not about money, as he would earn more if he remained in Toulon. Rather it is likely to be a chance to recuperate after the World Cup and give himself a better chance of prolonging his career.

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This sabbatical-style move is being done by All Blacks such as Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, who will begin stints in Japan after the World Cup before returning to the All Blacks with the idea of giving more longevity to their career. 

However, unlike Bastareaud, a move to Japan is also in their interests financially. Bastareaud will not be in New York for long, as he will soon be with the French national team in preparation for the World Cup. But his club is something for MLR to look forward to. 

WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on what fans can expect in Japan at this year’s World Cup

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Hammer Head 25 minutes ago
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There always are.

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Hammer Head 26 minutes ago
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It’s mostly flames fanned on the fans behalf, to be fair.

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Hammer Head 27 minutes ago
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That’s true too

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TT. 37 minutes ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Agree on Wright, it will be hard to overlook him if he plays at the same level than last year !

Indeed, if Lonergan is not in the team - which I think is probably the best option if they plan to start Carter Gordon - they will definitely need a goalkicker.



...

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BC1812 45 minutes ago
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It’s all very well for the RFU to finance and develop overseas players in English teams, though I think it need so be scaled back, but enabling international Home Nations teams to play week in, week out is several steps too far and will be to the detriment of the Red Roses.

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SB 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Wright for sure if he can replicate his 2025 test form. Harvey looks like a great prospect though and his goal kicking could be something very valuable to the team, especially with Carter Gordon is in the team and Ryan Lonergan is not.

12 Go to comments
T
TT. 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

And who would pick at 15 ? Tom Wright ? Harvey ?

12 Go to comments
T
TT. 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Due to the League’s influence in our opinion ? Too young to recall that sadly…

Aren’t Paisami and Flook leaving Australia this summer ? Crichton could be the solution to a lot of their problems indeed.



...

12 Go to comments
S
SB 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Him and Marky Mark on the wings at the World Cup, aerial kicks galore. Not sure where that leaves Jorgensen though.

12 Go to comments
u
unknown 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

JAS plays at 13 because the Wallabies already have loads of high quality back three players and basically only two other top quality centres (ikitau and Parisian) one of whom is abroad currently and one of whom is heading to Japan (I’ve heard) - so that’s the area of key lack of depth

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NB 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Aussie have always had a surfeit of good back three players, more so than centres, even in their best years around 2000-2003… I recall them trying to shoehorn Elton Flatley into 12 for the 2001 Lions series.

They have Paisami, Ikitua and Flook wto work with now, and poss Angus Crichton in future. So I’d ships to 14 or 15 now, with a view to a JAS-Marky-Jordo backfield for the RWC, and poss Lomax in the mix too.



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12 Go to comments
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NB 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Let’s hope so. Hunter Paisami is having a good season at 12 for the Reds, Len Ikitau is top drawer and Josh Flook at a very smart 13, so there is some material to work with there…

12 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

They might start him at 14 and then move him to FB once he gets the hang of the backfield pendulum….

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Stephen11 2 hours ago
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SB 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Fully agree, although 15 requires a lot of intelligence and I’m not sure he covers the back field well enough. Wing might be the best option for him.

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TT. 2 hours ago
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They have quite a few indeed, nevertheless, which would be their best backrow combination in your opinion ?

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G
Guest 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Whispers are Kiss isn’t a fan of JAS in the midfield and sees him more as an OB, we’ll see how that plays out but our shocking lack of depth in the centres at international and national level contributes.

12 Go to comments
T
TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Do you think Joe Schmidt still believe that he will become a better outside center or does he only let him play that position because Australia does not have enough depth at outside center while they have plenty of wingers and quite a few good fullbacks ? Tbh, I completly agree that Sua’ali’i would be way better as a fullback but would his replacement be better than him for Australia as a 13 ?

If they were able to find a functioning 11-14-15 combination, could you see him as a (super)sub with more space available for him at the end of the game ?



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RugCs 2 hours ago
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The lucky loser.

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Eric Elwood 2 hours ago
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He went to a 50k per annum posh school. Total free reign to be a w**nker.

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