Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Moefana scuppers Test chances after incident with France teammate

(From L) France's centre Jonathan Danty, France's centre Yoram Moefana and France's centre Gael Fickou take part in a training session at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland on February 9, 2024 on the eve of their Six Nations international rugby union match against Scotland. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Yoram Moefana’s hopes of joining the France squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series are in doubt following a red card received during Bordeaux’s match against La Rochelle.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Bordeaux centre was sent off for a dangerous tackle on fellow French international Jonathan Danty during Sunday evening’s Top 14 encounter at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. The incident occurred at the 34th minute and referee Tual Trainini ultimately issued a red card after reviewing video footage.

Moefana had made a critical tackle on Danty earlier in the match and appeared to drive his opponent out of bounds once more. However, his second tackle made head contact as he failed to lower his body position and Trainini adjudged that there were no mitigating factors – leading to the red.

Video Spacer

Louis Rees-Zammit – Walk the Talk trailer | RPTV

Wales try-scoring wizard Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for an exclusive chat about life in the NFL. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Louis Rees-Zammit – Walk the Talk trailer | RPTV

Wales try-scoring wizard Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for an exclusive chat about life in the NFL. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Bordeaux’s coach Yannick Bru conceded after the game: “It is indisputable… Yoram puts intensity into his tackle, but he has to duck down.”

Despite a spirited second-half performance from Bordeaux, who scored three tries with only 14 players on the field, La Rochelle secured a 25-19 victory.

Fixture
Top 14
La Rochelle
32 - 22
Full-time
Bordeaux
All Stats and Data

It was the first red of Moefana’s career and raises real uncertainty over his availability for France’s November fixtures against Japan and New Zealand. With a disciplinary hearing on the way, he faces a potential suspension ranging from two to six weeks.

Head coach Fabien Galthié is set to announce the 42-man squad on Wednesday, and Moefana’s inclusion now looks unlikely.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We do not blame him… he is a driving force in our rugby,” Bru said. “It’s hard for him… I’m disappointed for him, he’s a good guy.”

Moefana has been a key figure for Bordeaux Begles in recent seasons, making 87 appearances with 74 starts, scoring 13 tries. Prior to Bordeaux, he briefly played for Colomiers. Moefana has earned 28 caps for France, starting 17 times and scoring four tries.

He featured in six games for France U20s.

Related

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call
Search