Wallabies abroad: O'Connor runs riot

Sat, May 21, 2016, 10:45 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
James O'Connor crossed for four tries against Agen. Photo: AFP
James O'Connor crossed for four tries against Agen. Photo: AFP

Former Wallaby James O’Connor ran riot for Toulon with four tries in his side’s 52-13  victory over Agen.

After a 20-minute stalemate, O’Connor had two five- pointers in six minutes for Toulon, before Quade Cooper, playing at fullback chipped in with another of the team’s eight tries before half-time.

O’Connor had two more, in the 57th and 65th minutes, to help Toulon cement themselves in second spot.

Matt Giteau played 67 minutes in the big win, replaced by French playmaker Frederic Michalak.

The bonus point win puts Toulon just two points shy of top-placed Clermont, who face Stade Francais on Monday morning (AEDT).

Montpellier finished with a 19-16 win over Bordeaux, putting the latter out of the top six, with two rounds left.

Montpellier was trailing for much of the match, before a try to hooker Bismarck Du Plessis clinched their win.

Jesse Mogg played a full game at fullback for Montpellier, with scrumhalf Nic White playing 44 minutes off the bench.

Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper played 80 minutes on the wing for Bordeaux.

Peter Kimlin played at lock for Grenoble in a 45-24 loss to Brive.

PREMIERSHIP

George Smith's Wasps are out of the Premiership finals. Photo: Getty ImagesGeorge Smith’s run at the Premiership trophy was ended on Sunday morning (AEST) as Wasps went down to Exeter 34-23 in the semi-finals.

The 111-Test Wallabies backrower made 12 tackles in the match, his final appearance for Wasps before heading to Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League at the end of the season.

Peter Betham’s Leicester Tigers had their second semi-final loss in three weeks, knocked out of the Premiership race with a 44-17 loss to Saracens.

The match had plenty of implications for the upcoming June Test series, with Betham’s centres partner Manu Tuilagi going off injured, putting him in doubt for the Wallabies vs England.

PRO 12

Capped Wallabies winger Taqele Naiyaravoro played 20 minutes for Glasgow as they fell just short of a Pro12 final berth, losing 16-11 to Connacht.

Share
Five things we learnt from NSW Waratahs - Melbourne Rebels
Melbourne Rebels finish strong to defeat NSW Waratahs in Sydney
Penney drops for Crusaders as they end winless start against Chiefs
Classy Waratahs remain unbeaten in Super Rugby Women's