Latest news with #Samu
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Wallaby Samu relishing post-Top 14 reunion with 'awesome' Pollock
Experienced Samu and promising Pollock, 20, met in last Saturday's Champions Cup final in Cardiff as the French outfit lifted the trophy for the first time. The 33-year-old now turns his head to Saturday's Top 14 trip to Toulon before a move to the Waratahs and staking his claim in the Wallabies team to face the Lions, with the first of three Tests on June 22. "He's an awesome player," Samu told AFP. "He's really young and has a bright future ahead of him. "Out there he's a great competitor and you see that in this competition and in the Premiership. "A great player, I wish him all the best and hopefully see him in a couple of months," the 33-time international added. The victory in the Welsh capital, Bordeaux-Begles' maiden major trophy after being founded in 2006, was followed by delirious scenes back in France. 'Great feeling' Samu was in the middle of the celebrations having scored four tries in five Champions Cup appearances this term. More than 40,000 people welcomed Samu and his team-mates for a bus parade and ceremony in the south-western city, better known for its wine production. "It's a great feeling," Samu said. "That's been the plan for the club for the past couple of seasons and to come away with it is very satisfying," the former Crusaders back-rower added. After the festivities, which also included a day in a beach restaurant on the sun-drenched Atlantic coast, Bordeaux-Begles head to Toulon. They are likely to rest a host of front-line players recovering from the Champions Cup final, and its aftermath. Third-placed Toulon are five points behind the newly-crowned Champions Cup winners in the Top 14 table with two rounds of the regular season to go, with Samu's side potentially a point away from securing semi-final spot. "It's going to be tough game against Toulon this week," Melbourne-born Samu said. "They're only a couple of points behind us," he added. Elsewhere this weekend, 14-time French champions Stade Francais can take a big step towards safety if they beat play-off chasing Clermont. Perpignan travel to La Rochelle and Vannes welcome Pau with the Catalans and Bretons also in the relegation scrap. Fixtures (all times GMT) Saturday Sunday © 2025 AFP
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall. Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallaby Samu celebrates European Champions Cup glory
Wallabies backrower Pete Samu will return home as a European Champions Cup winner after helping Bordeaux-Begles to a 28-20 win over Northampton in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. The 33-year-old Samu's taste of European title glory in Cardiff came as he nears the end of his second and last season with the French club he joined after the 2023 World Cup. After Bordeaux-Begles players and staff had trooped off the pitch having been crushed 59-3 by Toulouse in last year's Top 14 final, they vowed to return better and stronger this year and on Saturday, match-hardened, they finally got their reward. Revenge against Toulouse had come in the Cup semi-finals but it was not so much the sparkling backline attacking play they showed there that made the difference on Saturday as their forward power and defensive intensity that blunted a Northampton backline full of England internationals. Star France winger Damian Penaud did score two tries to take his season's tally in the competition to 14 - earning him the player of the year award. But Bordeaux's relentless driving mauls and straight running sucked the energy out of a Northampton side who drained the tanks in trying to keep them at bay. Conductor-in-chief was scrumhalf and captain Maxime Lucu, who also took over the goal-kicking duties after some wobbles by Matthieu Jalibert. His penalty broke the 20-20 halftime deadlock and Bordeaux sealed the deal - the fifth title in a row for France - with Cyril Cazeaux's try. Samu's success came against a Northampton team containing three Australians - flanker Josh Kemeny, winger James Ramm and bench forward Angus Scott-Young. Capped 33 times for the Wallabies, former Brumbies star Samu has signed to return to Australian rugby and play with the NSW Waratahs through to the 2027 home World Cup. "It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn't easy," said Lucu after being named man of the match. "We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there. "Honestly, it feels great - for the club, for the team, for the supporters. After defeat last year (in the Top 14 final) to come back this year, eliminate almost every team that had won this competition, and earn our first star, it's wonderful." Penaud also referenced the Top 14 final defeat as motivation. "After last year's setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson," he said. Saturday's victory meant that Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions in this season's run, with Northampton, winners in 2000, the last to fall.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wallabies return opens up Lions shot for Pete Samu
Loose forward Pete Samu will return to Australia at the end of the French season with Bordeaux Begles man determined to finally play for the Wallabies at a World Cup in two years' time. Samu, who has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia (RA) and the New South Wales Waratahs, could yet get a call-up for the British and Irish Lions series in July and August. The 33-year-old, however, said the 2027 World Cup in Australia was the main focus of his Test ambitions after he was omitted from the Wallabies squad for the 2019 and 2023 editions. "Missing out on a couple of World Cups, that's the big motivator for me, and I'm hoping to get one back at home," Samu, who won 33 caps before he moved to France in 2023, said. "I feel like everything happens for a reason and I'm just really excited to head back home to hopefully get another crack." An athletic and physical back-row forward, Samu started his Super Rugby career at the Canterbury Crusaders before moving to Canberra with the ACT Brumbies. At the Waratahs, he will reunite with his former coach at the Brumbies, Dan McKellar. "He's a player who brings a real point of difference. He can open up a game, and has versatility to cover eight, seven or six," said McKellar. "He has played the game at Test level and obviously had a very good season with Bordeaux in France." Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt this month named Samu as one of the overseas-based Australians who might be considered for the Lions series, adding that he would prioritise players who had committed their future to RA. Bordeaux Begles face England's Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday (2.45pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
