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Clermont beat Bayonne to go top, La Rochelle win again

Clermont Auvergne celebrate a victory over Bayonne

Clermont Auvergne took over as Top 14 leaders with a 46-27 win over Bayonne after La Rochelle failed to pick up a bonus point in their defeat of Stade Francais on Saturday.

La Rochelle stretched their magnificent winning run to eight games in all competition by seeing off Stade 37-18 in the first game of the day.

That victory at Stade Marcel-Deflandre put them five points clear of Clermont, but Franck Azema’s men responded by blowing bottom side Bayonne away in the first half.

Bayonne simply had no answer to Clermont in the opening 40 minutes, with scrum-half Charlie Cassang helping himself to a double either side of an early try from Aurelien Rougerie and Damian Penaud’s score.

Stephen Brett also booted nine points as Clermont opened up a 29-0 advantage at the break, but Bayonne showed character to score 20 points without reply – including a penalty try and another from Pablo Huete – to make a game of it.

Clermont were not to be denied the bonus-point win they needed to take top spot, as Judicael Cancoriet and Alexandre Lapandry touched down to give them breathing space.

Victor Vito scored an early try, while replacements Jules Le Bail and Levani Botia crossed in the second half as La Rochelle’s long winning streak continued. Brock James racked up 22 points from the tee for the hosts, who show no signs of falling off the pace.

Bryan Habana was among the try-scorers in Toulon’s 31-17 win over Lyon, while Pau beat Grenoble 39-22 and Leone Nakarawa scored two second-half tries in Racing 92’s 33-25 home win over Brive. 

 

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R
RedWarrior 52 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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