THE MIDFIELD PARTNERSHIP that powered New Zealand to two consecutive Rugby World Cups found itself split onto opposing sides in France’s Top 14 today.
Conrad Smith is now plying his trade with Munster men Paddy Butler and James Coughlan in Pau and before the hour mark he viciously sold his old mucker Ma’a Nonu all the way up the river.
Sure, Toulon were 21 – 3 up at the time, but you’d still think Nonu would have spotted that move somewhere before.
The superb finish from Smith prompted a late rally from Section Paloise as they added a penalty try, but Toulon held on for a 21 – 17 win thanks to a James O’Connor brace sandwiching a try by Kote Mikautadze.
