Paris---A super brace of second-half tries by Fijian Metuisela Talebula saw Bordeaux-Begles come from 20-9 down to beat champions Toulon 28-23 in their Top 14 clash on Saturday.
The victory, which saw the 23-year-old Fijian take his tally to seven tries for the season, consolidated Bordeaux' place in the top six, which guarantees a place in the end of season play-offs.
It also strengthened the case for those who believe coach Raphael Ibanez would be the best candidate to replace Philippe Saint-Andre at the helm of the national side after the World Cup.
Toulon's defensive bonus point sees them top the table by a point but they can be overhauled later if Clermont and Stade Francais beat Racing-Metro and Bayonne respectively.
The sides were locked at 3-3 until Toulon's Fijian youngster Josua Tuisova produced a moment of sheer magic in the 13th minute.
Appearing in only his second Top 14 game, head coach Bernard Laporte had not wanted to loan the 21-year-old out to gain greater experience at first team level, the wing looked trapped on the touchline but spun out of three tackles before cutting inside and totally burning former France fly-half Lionel Beauxis for pace to touch down.
Nicolas Sanchez converted for 10-3 but Pierre Bernard reduced the gap to four points with a penalty shortly afterwards.
Sanchez, who spent three seasons at Bordeaux without breaking through, slotted over another penalty in the 23rd minute as the referee warned both sides they risked a yellow card if they continued to commit infringements.
The referee carried through with his threat by sin-binning Toulon's Argentinian veteran back Juan Martin Hernandez and Bernard converted the penalty for 13-9.
However, Toulon it was who scored a try despite being a man down as Maxime Mermoz went over and Sanchez converted.
It was the hosts, though, who had the last laugh of the first-half thanks to a brilliant piece of work by Hugh Chalmers.
The New Zealander flanker tackled Delon Armitage -- making his first appearance since serving a two month suspension -- on the visitors tryline and the Englishman's desperate pass to Sebastien Tillous-Borde fell short with the Bordeaux flanker reacting quickest to touch down -- Bernard converted to make it just 20-16.
Bordeaux regained the lead for the first time since the fifth minute as a superb long pass by hooker Ole Avei found their own Fijian star Talebula, who went over in the corner for his sixth try of the season and made it 21-20.
He doubled his tally soon afterwards and Bernard converted for 28-20.
Bordeaux looked to be easing to a memorable victory until Chalmers blotted his copybook by being yellow-carded with just under two minutes remaining -- Sanchez kicking the penalty to make it 28-23.
The hosts' joy was diluted somewhat by the sight of Bernard limping off with a minute remaining which will also send shivers down the spine of Saint-Andrre who selected him for the France squad for next weekend's Six Nations match with Wales.
AFP
