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Watch: Cheslin Kolbe takes Ngani Laumape head on in his Top 14 debut with Toulon
By Sam Smith
Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe donned the colours of Toulon for the first time in the Top 14 after an injury delay in a hard fought match against Stade Francais.
Kolbe played at fullback but could not inspire his side to victory as they went down 26-24 but he was heavily involved throughout the match, particularly on defence where he came up with big tackles at the right time.
He was forced to defend as the last line frequently at the back but didn't disappoint. He put Stade left wing Adrien Lapegue-Lafaye over the sideline in a lifting tackle, while he chopped down Fijian wing Waisea Nayacalevu on the opposite side twice.
Even against former All Black Ngani Laumape, who was playing at outside centre, Kolbe took him on head on and managed to force Laumape to lose his balance in a low tackle which saved a guaranteed try.
He added a second try-saving effort in second half when he denied Lapeque-Lafaye for a second time, pushing him over the sideline in the corner in a two-man effort.
Kolbe fielded plenty of kicks in the backfield, running back on many counter opportunities. Kolbe sparked a smart play down the right hand touchline on one of the kicks to set up captain Baptiste Serin for Toulon's second try.
The 28-year-old had a couple of errors, spilling a high ball and kicking out on the full once, but overall his performance from the back was impressive.
Toulon slipped to 13th in the league with the loss, which puts them at risk of a relegation playoff but have games in hand after postponements.
Watch Kolbe's first Top 14 appearance for Toulon below
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Latest Comments
Thank you. Graham
Go to comments“I was wondering if the AIL had clubs that were on the tipping point of wanting to become pro, how close could they get to a current Ulster etc”.
The Irish structure has always been the International team at the top, then the four provinces, then the clubs below that. Before the pro era in each province there were senior clubs playing each other, and that was pretty much “ring fenced”…no relegation or promotion. Then below that a series of junior leagues. The top players in the international scene played in the Five Nations(before Italy came in), and against the touring All Blacks or Springboks initially, then later Australia and Argentina came in. Actually I would need to go back and check the history of the teams coming onto the scene ie other than the Ab’s and Boks.
Those International players would only play for their province three times each year in the Inter Pro games, with the Bok, AB etc games only in tour years. Rest of the time, every single Int. player played club rugby every weekend.
Pro era dawned, and the four provinces became the sole pro teams, feeding up to the Int. team. There is no prospect as far as I can see of any AIL team ever becoming professional. Deepete, or someone living in Ireland would know more than I do, but what happens is fringe and academy players can play in the AIL, giving them game time they would not get otherwise. Top International players would rarely play at AIL level.
I think in Australia the tyranny of distance inhibits an AIL type structure. Ireland is tiny, good rail and road sytems, and it is easy to play in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, any where, weekend after weekend. Imagine an All Australian league, and travelling from Townsville for a game in Margaret River, etc. etc.
“I actually had the tables up and had no idea who was who lol”. Neither do I in some cases. A lot of new clubs since I played/lived in Ireland…I have to check who some are !!
Good discussion here JW. Have enjoyed it.
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