Wallabies abroad: Friends become foes in French Top 14

Mon, Oct 31, 2016, 1:51 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Will Genia played in his first French win. Photo: AFP
Will Genia played in his first French win. Photo: AFP

Will Genia got one up on his former teammate and old friend, Mike Harris, when Stade Francais beat out Lyon 25-19 in Paris.

Genia’s appearance was his first since January for Stade, after knee surgery, making it through the match after a lengthy spell with the Wallabies through the Rugby Championship.

 

Debating the finer points with my old mate! More laughs than anything 😘 miss you brother @willgenia

A photo posted by Mike Harris (@mikeymikeharris) on


Joe Tomane made his rugby comeback for Montpellier, in the side’s gritty 12-11 win over La Rochelle in the  Top 14.

He played the full 80 minutes at inside centre, playing alongside Fijian monster Nemani Nadolo and former Brumbies teammate nic White.

White played the full match in the victory as well.

James O'Connor in action against Grenoble. Photo: AFPMike Ford’s Toulon tenure began with a six-try, 42-12 win over Peter Kimlin's battling Grenoble outfit.

James O’Connor played the full match at fullback for Toulon, while former Waratahs and Brumbies back Matt Carraro lined up on the right wing.

Luke Jones played at blindside flanker for Bordeaux, as a late comeback effort fell short against Castres.

Sitaleki Timani played out the full 80 minutes for Clermont in a 40-16 win over Brive.

PREMIERSHIP

An epic 90-minute Premiership clash between Exeter and Bath has ended in heartbreak for Chiefs duo Lachie Turner and Dave Dennis.

Winger Semesa Rokoduguni notched the final try of the game for Bath in the 88th minute to steal the win in a low-scoring affair.

Lachie Turner went off early in the Chiefs-Bath epic. Photo: Getty ImagesTurner came off in the 27th minute after a head knock, while Dennis played 76 minutes at blindside flanker.

James Horwill crossed for the Harlequins against Worcester, scoring in the 44th minute of their 36-14 win over the Warriors.

Peter Betham’s Leicester couldn’t overcome defending champions Saracens, with the centre playing a full game at 13 in the 24-10 defeat.

TOP LEAGUE

Scott Higginbotham notched another try for the NEC Green Rockets as they recorded a 38-24 win over Kobe Steel.

The number six crossed in the ninth minute for the Rockets, also winning three turnovers in another standout performance.

Wycliff Palu is unlikely to go around again. Photo: Getty ImagesWycliff Palu scored a pivotal 36th-minute try for Toyota Verblitz, in a 20-16 win over the Ricoh Black Rams, before coming off in the 66th minute.

George Smith’s Suntory Sungoliath had a day out against the Kubota Spears, running out 38-0 victors.

Smith was immense, making 10 tackles and winning three turnovers in the dominant win, playing alongside his future Queensland teammate, Hendrik Tui, in the back row.

It was a cruisy afternoon for Panasonic, who beat out Toyota Industries Shuttles 60-7.

Capped Wallabies second rower Daniel Heenan crossed in the 36th and 49th minutes of the flogging, with Mark Gerrard playing out the match at fullback for the Shuttles.

Taqele Naiyaravoro dotted down in Japan. Photo: Getty ImagesTaqele Naiyaravoro came on in the 57th minute, beating two defenders and throwing an offload in his time on the field.

Digby Ioane’s Honda notched their first win of the 2016-17 season, beating former teammate Anthony Fainga’a’s Kintetsu Liners, 36-20.

Ioane was injected off the bench in the 51st minute, while Fainga’a played out the entire match at inside centre.

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