VIDEO: French Bad boy Bastareaud in the dock
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Toulon captain and French international battering-ram Mathieu Bastareaud has been banned for five weeks after a brutal attack on an opponent in a Top 14 game.
The centre was sanctioned for his attack on Castres forward Christophe Samson at the end of Toulon’s 28-27 win over the champions 10 days ago.
Bastareaud dived into a ruck as Castres turned over the ball and smashed an arm into Samson, who was on the ground. At some point in the chaos, the Toulon centre took a knee in the face.
He saw red while Samson was yellow-carded.
Three-time European champions Toulon have endured a chaotic start to the French season with just one win and three losses in their opening four Top 14 games.
The ban means the 29-year-old will miss Toulon’s next five fixtures and will be available for France’s November tests against South Africa, Argentina, and Fiji.
Earlier this year, Bastareaud was also in the hot water following his homophic outburst against Italian second row Sebastian Negri.
Television footage appeared to show the France international calling Italian second row Sebastian Negri a “f***ing faggot” after an altercation in the final minute of the match.
https://youtu.be/OZX9DYnAOvA
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of their 37-10 defeat to Stade Francais eccentric owner Mourad Boudjellal said as many as five players could be signed.
One of the first through the door may be Brian Alainu’uese. French publication Le Figaro suggest that the New Zealand-born second row is already at the club to be assessed by coaches with a view to signing him.
Alainu’uese would certainly add considerable bulk to their pack, weighing in at 138kg and towering at 2.07 metres.
The 24-year-old played five times for Samoa’s Under 20’s, scoring one try.
He is currently on the books at PRO14 side Glasgow Warriors, having joined the Scottish club in 2016 from Waikato.
He also has Super Rugby experience, with two appearances for the Chiefs when they were coached by current Warriors head coach Dave Rennie.
He made 22 appearances for the Warriors during his time at Scotstoun. He has had spells on the sidelines, undergoing knee surgery last December to correct an ongoing problem, returning in March. He is under contract with the Scottish club until May 2019, but it appears he will be allowed to end that deal early in order to join Toulon should the French side pursue their interest.
AFP
