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TOP 14Rugby New YorkToulonMathieu Bastareaud

Bastareaud is proving quite the hit in New York

By Josh Raisey
France's Mathieu Bastareaud is tackled by Ireland pair CJ Stander (L) and Jack Carty in March (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

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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Jmann 18 minutes ago
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JD Kiwi 7 hours ago
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Tom 10 hours ago
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Bull Shark 11 hours ago
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Tom 12 hours ago
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RW 12 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 13 hours ago
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Now lets see what happens to the two French “alleged” rapists in Argentina…

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Rob 14 hours ago
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Good

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Bull Shark 15 hours ago
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DG 16 hours ago
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RugbyAnalysis 16 hours ago
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Turlough 17 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 17 hours ago
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WR 17 hours ago
There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

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WR 18 hours ago
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Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

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Mzilikazi 18 hours ago
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Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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Bull Shark 18 hours ago
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I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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