Carter adds another cup

Fri, Jun 24, 2016, 9:13 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Racing Metro got the better of Toulon again. Photo: AFP
Racing Metro got the better of Toulon again. Photo: AFP

New Zealand legend Dan Carter has added another chapter to his decorated career, with a Top 14 title overnight.

Carter's Racing Metro overcame a 17th minute red card, with scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud sent off for a tip tackle leaving them a man down for 63 mintues of the match.

The former All Blacks flyhalf booted five penalties in the win, including an 80th minute match sealer.

Racing Metro fans had plenty to celebrate. Photo: AFPWallabies veteran Matt Giteau played 64 minutes of the match at flyhalf for Toulon, who found themselves again on the wrong side of a Racing defeat in a crucial moment.

Racing Metro edged out the reigning Champions Cup winners in April's European quarter-finals as well.

The final drew a record 99,124 crowd Barcelona's Camp Nou, the club home of global stars like Lionel Messi and one of the world's most successful teams.

The previous record for a club rugby game was 84,068 at England's Wembley Stadium for a match between Saracens and Harlequins.

There was spectacular pre-game entertainment at Barcelona. Photo: AFPSydney's 2000 Bledisloe Cup match at Olympic Stadium still holds the record overall, with 109,874 turning out for the most epic of trans-Tasman clashes.

The Top 14 final draws the European season to a close, with a number of Australian stars set to return home for the Rugby Championship in two months' time.

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