Fijian flyer Metuisela Talebula has been making his mark in the Top 14 this season with some sensational performances for Bordeaux, and on Thursday night he continued that fine form against London Welsh in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Talebula was actually the top try scorer in the French Top 14 last season, so the former Fiji Sevens star knows his way to the tryline, and given a sniff, usually finishes with aplomb.
Bordeaux-Begles recently played some beautiful rugby to thrash Castres 59-7, so they’re in with a real shout this year and their 52-20 win away at the Kassam goes some way to confirm that.
They scored four first half tries, with Lucas Blanc, Talebula, Clement Maynadier and Matthew Clarkin all scoring to give them an imposing 31-6 lead at the half time break.
“There are no margins at the top of the Aviva Premiership or the Top 14. You have got no room and once you make a mistake you are toast basically,” said London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell.
By the end of the match they’d scored seven in total, with Pierre Bernard adding to his points with the boot, and Darly Domvo scoring twice, thanks also to Talebula.
The latter’s finish to his first half try was outstanding, as Bordeaux counter-attacked from a turnover deep in their half, before he sprinted away then put the ball on the boot twice and collected to dot down in the corner in one motion.
It was supreme control and another example of the kind of talent Fijian rugby regularly produces.
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