Bordeaux player ratings: More ‘magic’ from an incredible halfback while rampaging youngster makes ‘mincemeat’ of Bath’s best
Bordeaux player ratings: More 'magic' from an incredible halfback while rampaging youngster makes 'mincemeat' of Bath's best
Bordeaux Begles are through to the Investec Champions Cup final after a thoroughly entertaining 38-26 victory over Bath.
Here are the Bordeaux Begles player ratings:
Backs
15 Salesi Rayasi: Appeared to have loads of time on the ball and showed great attacking intent. Lost the ball a couple of times, but made a terrific turnover on Guy Pepper to make up for it. Looked incredibly assured at full-back. 7
14 Pablo Uberti: Made a good pass to set up Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s try, but otherwise invisible. 5
13 Damian Penaud: Great charge to set up the opening try, and he made the break for the final try. The former winger has really taken to the outside centre position, making huge strides in the midfield. 7
12 Yoram Moefana: Straightened up well in the carry, beating four defenders, including a monumental ‘bosh’ on Pepper. 7
11 Louis Bielle Biarrey: Was brilliant in the air, fearsome in defence and deserved his try. More than stood up to the challenge of Henry Arundell. 7
10 Matthieu Jalibert: A box of tricks who always found space in broken play. His ability to kick, pass and sprint around defenders makes him one of the most dangerous players in the world. He made Finn Russell look almost amateur. 8
9 Maxime Lucu: Brilliant cut-out pass for Bielle-Biarrey’s try and created all the magic that led to his own score. Deserved yet another Player of the Match award. He is arguably the most in-form scrum-half in world rugby. 9
Forwards
8 Marko Gazzotti: A bruising performance that saw the 21-year-old make mincemeat of Beno Obano and Pepper in the carry. Defensively, he was one of the busiest men on the field, making 16 tackles and not missing a single one. 8
7 Cameron Woki: It was his work in the lineout that saw the two-metre-tall flanker stand out. He won eight of his own lineouts and caused utter carnage within the Bath ranks. 7
6 Pierre Bochaton: Was busy in tackle and used his rangy arms to create an advantage off the scrum and in the lineout. 6
5 Adam Coleman: Lucky to get away with a high shot on Barbeary early doors, but otherwise it was a gigantic display from the Aussie lock who put some huge hits in and topped the chart with 20 tackles with none missed. 8
4 Boris Palu: A huge defensive effort from the former French international, who was instrumental in ensuring Bordeaux’s control in the breakdown. Although he didn’t carry much, his work around the ruck was vital to Bordeaux’s success. 7
3 Johann Carlu Sadie: Big in defence and although he didn’t exactly dominate the scrum time, he held it well against two of the very best. 6
2 Maxime Lamothe: The lineout held strong and he made an important clear-out in the lead-up to Bielle-Biarrey’s try. 6
1 Matis Perchaud: Made some powerful carries and secured the scrum against Thomas du Toit, who is arguably the best scrumager in world rugby right now. 6
Replacements: Big Ben Tameifuna powered over for the crucial finish to take the game away from Bath and Temo Matiu scored the clincher. Can’t ask for much more than that from your bench. 8