Euro cup glory for MVP Kolbe

Springbok dynamo Cheslin Kolbe delivered a Man of the Match performance as Toulon defeated the Glasgow Warriors to claim a maiden Challenge Cup title in Dublin on Friday.

The final showcased the brilliance of Kolbe for the French Top 14 giants, who dominated a Glasgow outfit under SA tactician Franco Smith at a packed Aviva Stadium.

Toulon, making a fifth appearance in a EPCR final, become only the fifth team to lift both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup trophy.

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Head coach Pierre Mignoni fielded an electric back three of fullback Kolbe, Fijian winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, and No 11 Gabin Villiere from France, and they did not disappoint.

Toulon suffered an early setback with the departure of flyhalf Dan Biggar due to a head injury, but quickly rebounded. Scrumhalf Baptiste Serin scored the opening try less than 30 seconds after Biggar’s exit, and Serin’s conversion pushed the score to 7-0.

Sergio Parisse, set to retire at the end of the season, demonstrated his enduring class by crossing the whitewash just four months shy of his 40th birthday. Serin added the extras, and the No 9 continued to dazzle, securing his second try and converting it flawlessly.

Former France centre Mathieu Bastareaud, who returned to Toulon this term, said post match that he too, will hang up his boots after the 2022-23 campaign.

He has now added a Challenge Cup to his haul of three Champions Cups and one Top 14 title with the Stade Mayol outfit.

Toulon’s control was reinforced by Kolbe’s exceptional skills, exemplified by his ability to gather a high ball from a standing start.

Dominance

While the Warriors made a spirited return after half time, their efforts to breach Toulon’s territory proved futile. Kolbe exhibited his finesse with a remarkable touch-finder, setting up Benoit Paillaugue’s penalty kick and extending Toulon’s lead to 24-0.

Glasgow salvaged a glimmer of hope when SA-born winger and captain Kyle Steyn breached Toulon’s defence, adding points to the scoreboard. However, their aspirations were quelled by Wainiqolo and Waisea Nayacalevu, who crashed over for a try apiece.

The Scottish club claimed consolation tries through Sebastian Cancelliere and Steyn, but as the match drew to a close, replacement Ihaia West sealed the victory with Toulon’s sixth try, sparking joy among the traveling supporters from the Cote d’Azur.

Toulon’s 43-19 win was a testament to their collective brilliance, with Kolbe’s scintillating performance and Parisse’s farewell master-class etched into the annals of rugby history.

This story first appeared on sarugymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.