Bastareaud finally sat down in 225kg collision just days before career end
There is a first time for everything and fans have had to wait 15 years to see former France centre Mathieu Bastareaud, but it has finally happened, and it came in one of the biggest games of the season.
To send someone like Toulon’s 120kg Bastareaud flying backwards it takes a player with a whole lot of power, and that is exactly what Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Sione Tuipulotu has in abundance.
Up against each other in the Challenge Cup final yesterday, Tuipulotu lined up the Frenchman and smashed him comprehensively onto his backside. That very day the 34-year-old announced that he will retire at the end of the season, and that collision probably helped confirm his decision. At least Bastareaud will have fond memories of the final, as Toulon came away 43-19 winners.
Take a look:
BASTA BOSHED 😱
Not many people can do that to the big man, fair play Sione Tuipulotu 👊#ChallengeCupRugby | @GlasgowWarriors pic.twitter.com/M2NkGRXQy9
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 19, 2023
Though Toulon still have a game left in the Top 14 this season, against Bordeaux Begles, and potentially the play offs in the league, this was an ideal send-off for the 54-cap France international after a trophy-laden career with Toulon. To cap off his career with a trophy that has eluded Toulon a number of times was a nice touch, and more so as captain Charles Ollivon let the centre/ No8 lift the trophy.
Take a look:
Another player that was also playing one of his final games of professional rugby was former Italy captain Sergio Parisse, who even bagged a try in one of his final appearances.
“I knew I was going into one of my last games, but I tried to treat it as just another game. I really enjoyed it,” said Parisse.
“We tried to dominate physically, played well and dominated from the first minute. We showed from the start that we wanted to take control.
“I’m just happy to be playing with this group and to be finishing my career at Toulon. It was a long day, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”
