REPORTS: La Rochelle may have bagged a World Cup winning All Black
Another World Cup-winning All Black is on the verge of joining a Top 14 side for the new season, which kicks off on August 26, according to reports in the French media.
Thirty-five-year-old former Highlander Adam Thomson, who was a replacement at the 2011 final at Eden Park, could be on the way to at La Rochelle according to respected rugby newspaper Midi-Olympique.
The twice-weekly publication reports the club on the Atlantic coast is looking for cover for Bleus' flanker Kévin Gourdon. Under league rules, clubs can sign up to three so-called 'additional players' to fill gaps left when members of France coach Guy Novès' elite squad of 45 are away on international duty.
The 29-cap Thomson - who left Dunedin in 2012 and had spells at Super Rugby sides Reds and Rebels, as well as Canon Eagles in Japan's Top League - would team up with fellow New Zealanders Jason Eaton, 2011 World Cup team-mate Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, and Rene Ranger at Stade Marcel Deflandre, if the move goes ahead.
He would become La Rochelle's 15th overseas player. The limit on non French-qualified players for Top 14 clubs - including additional players and medical jokers - is 16, though newly promoted Agen and Oyonnax can have 17 non French-qualified players.
Thomson's resume had been doing the rounds at clubs in the French top flight for some time before La Rochelle became interested, Midi-Olympique says.
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Keep in mind Rod MacQueen never won a Super Rugby title before he was appointed Wallaby coach but he ended up the greatest rugby coach the world has ever seen. Better than Erasmus even. Who is probably the next best.
Go to commentsi think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.
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