Botitu, Nakosi tries help in Castres win
Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Vilimoni Botitu and Filipo Nakosi scored a try each for Castres for home win, 31-30, against La Rochelle at Pierre-Fabre Stadium, in Castres, France yesterday.
Nakosi scored in the 29th minute and narrowed the gap at half time with Martin Laveau’s try. La Rochelle led 24-17 at the breather.
Botitu sealed the win with his converted try in the 64th minute as LA Rochelle first five eighth Ihaia West missed two penalties in the 80th and 83rd minute which cost them the single point defeat.
La Rochelle manager Ronan O’Gara refused to blame the kicker.
O’Gara told French media: “This result is necessarily frustrating and disappointing for everyone.
“I have already said it several times, this season, a match, it lasts eighty minutes. Today, has had the best compared to our last away games but it’s not enough. When you score 30 points away from your bases, you have to win the game, it’s not normal,” O’Gara said.
“The failures of Ihaia (West)? It’s sport, it’s like that,” he added.
“I will never criticize any of my players, he works hard and in the shade above all. Support him a little more this week. What I know is that we should have killed the match long before and not have to wait until the last second. In Top 14, we are lucky to be able to react from the start. Next week, that’s what we’re going to try to do. “
Other Fijians who played for Castres yeterday were second five eighth Adrea Cocagi and Josaia Raisuqe who was on the bench. La Rochelle had Eneriko Buliruarua.
Meanhwile, Pau winger Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jale Vatubua also scored a try each in their 43-20 win against Brive. Tuimaba touched down in the 72nd minute while
Vatubua sealed the win in the 77th minute.
In other Top 14 matches, Josua Tuisova’s Lyon side defeated Virimi Vakatawa and Ben Volavola’s Racing 92, 37-35.
Tuisova returned after being suspended for four weeks for “dangerous play” by the disciplinary committee of the National Rugby League (LNR).
He received a red card on December 4 and was sent off in the 73rd minute in their match against Brive; this was after he hit the face of the Tedo Abzhandadze with an elbow.
In the Premiership Rugby, Sam Matavesi and Api Ratuniyarawa’s Northampton side went down, 6-30 to Saracens in Round 12.
Leicester Tigers extended their unbeaten run into the New Year with a 31-0 triumph against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday. Kini Murimurivalu played in the closing 10 minutes while Nemani Nadolo was not named for the side.