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Bayonne could field 1032kg pack after supersizing their forwards
By Ian Cameron
Bayonne have bulked up their forward pack with a number of supersized additions.
Having been promoted from the ProD2, the club based on the west coast of France have looked to the Pacific Islands for inspiration, signing some of the heaviest players currently playing rugby in Europe.
Bayonne's four heaviest signing going into season 2019/20 weigh in at a combined 526kg, an average of 131.5kg a man - or 20 stone 9 pounds each in imperial.
Leaving aside the new signing, the club already have a pretty solid pack including the likes of 131kg Adam Jaulhac, 132kg Dion Evrard Oulai, 123kg Toma'akino Taufa, 132kg Jon Zabala and 124kg Jose Ramon Ayarza. The new additions throw up the possibility of Bayonne fielding a potential one-tonne plus pack next season.
VILIAMU AFATIA
Tighthead
5'11
124kg
Samoan frontrow Afatia is one of three Racing 92 heavyweights to travel south-west to Bayonne. Capped 21 times by Samoa, the 29-year-old is just coming into his propping prime. The Samoan hasn't completely avoided controversy in his career however, having been involved in an altercation with fellow heavyweight Parisian Ben Tameifuna. Afatia was left with facial injuries following the row with the Tongan outside a nightclub on the Champs-Élysées in 2017.
CENSUS JOHNSTON
Tighthead
6'3
130kg
The veteran Samoan prop signs from Racing 92, having enjoyed several fruitful years at the Parisian giants. Despite his age, the tighthead enjoyed significant game time with Racing in his final year at the club. Having slimmed down from a high of 138kg, the Auckland born 38-year-old will be looking to potentially end his career on a high with Bayonne.
EDWIN MAKA
Lock/backrow
6'5
142kg
The giant nephew in the Maka dynasty which included Finau and Isitolo, Bayonne becomes Edwin's third major club in the Top14 after Toulon and Racing respectively. Standing 6'5 and weighing anywhere between 135kg and 148kg (23 stone 4 pounds), he's one of the heaviest players on the planet.
MAT LUAMANU
Backrow
6'3
130kg
Luamanu hails from New Zealand and signs from Harlequins. A devasting ball carrier, the Wellington-born Samoan struggled with discipline while at Harlequins, earning more than his fair share of cards over his two season at the west London club. Now 30, Luamanu brings considerable experience having played in five different leagues on three continents.
A potential one tonne Bayonne pack
1 Viliamu Afatia 124kg
2 Jose Ramon Ayarza 124kg
3 Jon Zabala 132kg
4 Adam Jaulhac 131kg
5 Dion Evrard Oulai 132kg
6 Mat Luamanu 130kg
7 Pieter-Jan Van Lill 117kg
8 Edwin Maka 142kg
TOTAL PACK WEIGHT: 1032kg
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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