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Bastareaud linked with shock move to Super Rugby
By Online Editors
France centre Mathieu Bastareaud could ply his trade in South Africa for the Sharks come 2020.
According to the French media outlet Rugbyrama the Toulon captain’s contract has a clause that allows him a short stint outside Europe.
As reported the France centre met with Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal to discuss a possible move to Super Rugby.
Despite keen interest shown by Japananes teams, Bastareaud is determined to fulfil his ambitions of playing for Super Rugby franchise the Sharks, especially after spending a couple of weeks in Durban in 2017 and his good relations with the former Biarritz player and current Sharks COO, Edouard Coetzee.
It has also been reported that Bastareaud’s exit will be held after the upcoming Six Nations and he will sign a pre-contract with Toulon for 2021.
Having a Frenchman at the Sharks would not be an unfamiliar scene. The Sharks have already hosted, Thierry Lacroix, Olivier Roumat (1996), Frédéric Michalak (2008 and 2012), and Clément Poitrenaud (2017) in the past.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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