Nakaitaci scores in Clermont win

Fijian-born winger Noa Nakaitaci scored a try as Clermont consolidated their position at the top of the Top 14 standings after securing a deserved 40-16 win over Brive at Stade Amédée Domenech.

Brive fielded Vodafone Flying Fijian winger Benito Masilevu, Sevanaia Galala, Seremaia Burotu and late sub Dominiko Waqaniburotu. Les Jaunards dominated from the outset and outscored their hosts by four tries to one with fly-half Patricio Fernandez the visitors’ hero after contributing 30 points to his side’s cause courtesy to a brace of tries, four penalties and four conversions. Three of the visitors’ tries were scored during the first half which set up a commanding 27-9 lead at the break. Watisoni Votu who scored a try as he combined well with second five eight Jale Vatubua, centre Conrad Smith and Colin Slade.

The visitors were leading for the first 28 minutes thanks to Jean-Marc Doussain’s boot but when Daniel Ramsay crossed, Pau went ahead. Pau fullback Tom Taylor converted his lock’s try to make it 9-10, but Toulouse hit back before the break via a Doussain drop-goal and then hooker Julien Marchand crossed a minute before half-time to push the visitors into a healthy 17-10 advantage going into the dressing rooms.

Pau crucially struck first after the interval when Votu went over, with Taylor’s extras levelling matters at Stade du Hameau.