Toulon put in a great performance yesterday as they beat rivals Clermont 28-16 in their Top 14 meeting at the Stade Mayol. Pierre Mignoni dislocated his finger, but continued on, and Joe Van Niekerk scored a nice try. Both clips are featured here.
Jonny Wilkinson looked back to his best form as he kicked twenty three points to add to captain Van Niekerks try as Toulon took up fifth place on the table, no doubt making them more comfortable after their recent showings.
Clermont themselves havent looked great so far this season, as the champions have only four wins out of seven matches.
Toulon scrumhalf Mignoni dislocated his finger during the match, resulting in the team physios having to come on the field and jerk in back into place. Its always interesting watching how they do it, and seeing the players reactions. Intense pain, but once its in its not too bad, and as you will see in the clip, Mignoni continued on.
The Van Niekerk try came from a crazy period of play which included fullback Rory Lamont looking like he was knocked out, but somehow getting back in play to provide the scoring pass after a neat change of angle from the Toulon skipper.
As for flyhalf Wilkinson, he kicked five penalties, two drop goals, and converted the try, taking him to second highest points scorer of the season. Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has since stated that he looks back to the form of 2003.
“Wilkinson is one of the best outside-halves in the history of rugby, he showed that today. We rediscovered the Jonny of the 2003 vintage. It’s a Jonny who, in my eyes, is much stronger than last season,” he said.
“I have people who have private boxes at Mayol stadium and who come by private jet from London when Jonny Wilkinson plays,” Boudjellal added.
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