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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
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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