Share

Toulon counting on Nonu for Top 14 final

Toulon - Toulon are counting on Ma'a Nonu for this weekend's Top 14 final against Clermont after the New Zealand centre missed the semi-finals for personal reasons, club president Mourad Boudjellal said Monday.

"We won't say what he has but Ma'a Nonu trained today (Monday). We're counting on him for the final," said Boudjellal.

Toulon are targeting a fifth title and first since 2014 against European Cup runners-up Clermont, the 2010 Top 14 champions, in Sunday's final in Stade de France.

Boudjellal did not confirm whether injured flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, who missed the 18-15 semi-final win over La Rochelle, or lock Romain Taofifenua, who picked up a knock during the game, would be fit.

"The first results were rather encouraging for many players, but they are only the first results," he said.

Former England and Toulon star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has also been called in as a consultant kicking coach with star Welsh kicker Leigh Halfpenny on duty with the British and Irish Lions.

"We called in Jonny this week to work with the kickers and we'll decide once he has worked with everyone," said Boudjellal, who conceded he was worried by the idea of playing a final without a great kicker.

"But we have several players who kick. We have Trinh-Duc if he plays, (Anthony) Belleau isn't a bad kicker, (Matt) Giteau, (James) O'Connor, (Eric) Escande, there are several."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1817 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1777 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE