1
Watch: Former All Black centre lays out French flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert
Former All Blacks and Blues midfielder Francis Saili has opened the Top 14 season in bruising style, delivering a crunching cover tackle on French flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert in Biarritz Olympique’s upset win over the Bordeaux Begles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Previously in the Pro D2 league, Biarritz earned promotion to this year’s Top 14 season after beating Bayonne in the promotion-relegation clash. Heavyweights Bordeaux finished fourth in the Top 14 last season so Biarritz headed into the opening game as severe underdogs.
Bolstered by the likes of former All Black Francis Saili, who was signed from Harlequins, and former Wallabies Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight, Biarritz came out and stunned Bordeaux in the first half racing out to a 17-3 lead.
With three minutes remaining in the half, Bordeaux flyhalf Jalibert sparked a break down the right touchline only to be bundled out of play by a flying Saili in cover defence who put a dominant tackle on the young French 10.
A shaken Jalibert threw his arms up in the air in protest to the touch judge to no avail, as the home crowd cheered on their newly promoted side.
The tackle by Saili was his second big defensive play of the game, after an earlier rush tackle helped set up Brett Herron for the first try of the game.
Saili flew out of the line to put a hit on an unsuspecting Bordeaux reciever, who spilled the ball into the arms of Herron who raced away downfield to score against the run of play.
The Biarritz crowed was sent into raptures as their side took a 10-0 lead following the try.
The first try of the #Top14 season!!
Brett Herron scores it after a MONSTER hit from Francis Saili ?#SaffasAbroad #BOUBB pic.twitter.com/cceDu9CrQ4
ADVERTISEMENT— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 4, 2021
The home side added another try and a penalty goal early in the second half to extend the lead to 27-3 which proved too much of an ask for Bordeaux to come back from, handing the club a massive first scalp in the Top 14.
In other Top 14 fixtures, Ngani Laumape made his debut for Stade Francias in a 36-21 loss to powerhouse Racing 92 on the back of a solid performance from former Wallaby Kurtley Beale who ran for 109 metres and had two line breaks.
Laumape was held to 15 run metres on seven carries in his Top 14 debut, but was able to shake four defenders and provide a couple of offloads. Wallabies wing Sefa Naivalu bagged a try for Stade on the right wing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Montpellier and Toulon shared a 24-all draw at the Stade Mayol after an extra time try to former England international Zach Mercer. Montpellier stole a win from Toulon’s grasp after eight penalty goals from Anthony Belleau.
With time up on the clock, Montpellier received a penalty from directly in front which Springbok centre Jan Serfontein tapped quickly. After multiple pick-and-go attempts, Mercer picked up the ball with the line begging and scored right next to the posts to rob Toulon of the match.
Comments on RugbyPass
Blackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to comments