Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Julien Malzieu hat-trick and big charges against Leinster

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Julien Malzieu hat-trick and big charges against Leinster

While Clermont flyhalf Brock James had a nightmare against Leinster in the quarter final meeting on Friday, if he had slotted that final kick we probably would have been hearing all about Julien Malzieu’s top performance on the wing.

It was a great weekend of European Cup rugby as every match served up thoroughly enjoyable dishes packed with all the passion, tension, and finesse that we’ve come to expect from the knock out rounds of the big comps.

Both Leinster and Biarritz snuck home after last play of the match dropgoals went wide. Clermont and Ospreys respectively will be kicking themselves (and the ref in some cases), none more so than the French side who were in a position to win the match following multiple penalty opportunities and a hat-trick of tries from wing Malzieu.

He not only finished well, but was influential around the park with his big carries, putting opposition flyhalf Jonny Sexton on his behind on two occasions. Unfortunately for Clermont, Sexton wasn’t fazed by that type of thing and held his nerve in what was ultimately a mature performance that showed great temperament.

There have been a few requests from fans wanting to see Malzieu’s big runs again though, so here they are, with his hat-trick thrown in for good measure. There’s also a nice charge from Rougerie, and it must be said, a great chip by James for that first try.

Time: 2:48

sHazZam!

By Unknown, at April 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Bam; he still got straight up after both and in the end booted Leinster to victory so bit of a waste of time for poor Malzieu

By Kenny, at April 13, 2010 4:36 pm
Oiiee, a Ronan O'Gara kind of day for Sexton, he didn't look like he wanted much to do with the tackle on the third try after getting steamrolled a couple of times.

Usually stronger defence from Sexton, but then again, give big Malzieu some credit.

By Canadian Content, at April 13, 2010 4:52 pm
How often can one say brutal in short time? These Sky commentators are annoying.

Nevertheless Malzieu was brilliant and should have been named man of the match. He was everywhere, it tooke three of Leinster's man to tackle and even than he slipped away a couple of times. Great player and that just shows that France have a ridiculous large amount of quality wingers when a guy like hime is not a regular starter for them.

By Thomas, at April 13, 2010 4:56 pm
thanks for the post RD.can you maybe put up the stormers blues game from the weekend please.was a cracker :)

By Alain Weyers, at April 13, 2010 4:58 pm
Malzieu was fantastic, it is good to see him in form like this.

By Promethean, at April 13, 2010 5:29 pm
With Rougerie and Malzieu, Clermont have 2 strong and quick wingers of top european rugby.
But their efforts weren't granted..

Looking back munster and toulouse performances, u understand why they are the 2 top Hcup clubs of the history. They are teams with a lot of good players ok, but they know when and where they can kill any team during a match

That said, i really wish to see Clermont next year. Vern cotter does great job despite their last decepetions in top 14

By Flooz, at April 13, 2010 5:33 pm
I'm sad for Clermont...it's a very competitive and strong team, with brillant players, but they never win competition (except the challenge cup, 2 years ago)

By Anonymous, at April 13, 2010 5:51 pm
I can understand why Sexton was not so committed in the tackle as he usually is, because his jaw got broken during the game!

Brilliant stuff from Malzieu though.

By Mike, at April 13, 2010 6:11 pm
Always rated Malzieu.

Great game from him.

By Anonymous, at April 13, 2010 6:12 pm
boy ohh boy what a thunderstorm he was at that evening

By sebastian, at April 13, 2010 6:24 pm
I think was Kearney playing 15 and he got sat down by Rougerie...love to see that!
Kearney is good but i think a bit over-rated after only a few standout performances.

By Bradders, at April 13, 2010 6:57 pm
that was brutal

By Anonymous, at April 13, 2010 6:59 pm
"Kearney is good but i think a bit over-rated after only a few standout performances."

If it was last season, I wouldn't say he was overrated. He played almost game perfectly. This season, he's been pretty standard with many more mistakes. He does seem to be getting back into form though.

By Anonymous, at April 13, 2010 7:09 pm
"Brutal and brilliant". That sums up pretty well the level of french rugby at the moment, both Top14 clubs and national team are better than anytime before. Well that's what i think.

And what is funny with Malzieu is that he looks pretty skinny but he's really powerful, where the hell does he hide his muscles????

By rodofle, at April 13, 2010 8:03 pm
Sit the f*** down..say Malzieu and Rougerie when they run toward their opponents..!
Brilliant game and outstanding wingers! Clermont just deserved to win. What a pity for them once again.

By Toulouse16, at April 13, 2010 9:01 pm
Clermont werent good enough to win in fairness. Malzieu is a tank and Rougerie shown us what he can do long before this clip - he is another beast! Clermont will come good in Hcup in the next couple of years, great team.

T

By Anonymous, at April 13, 2010 9:50 pm
brilliant

By othello, at April 13, 2010 10:02 pm
Yea turns out Sexton broke his jaw during the first half...Fair play to him for playing the entire game through...But unfortunately he's out now for the semi final...

By themull, at April 14, 2010 12:13 am
.....i dont think it was cudmore in that game...i mean think about it...no fights...cant have been him...

as for sexton....shouldnt we all ask ourselves why Ronan O'Gara has been recruited to teach sexton how to tackle?!? i mean really?!

But all credit to the Malzieu great effort and very well finished!!!

By (u-p)rick, at April 14, 2010 12:16 am
i agree about Kearney being a bit overrated.
he had a good run of form during 2009 for a while but a really great player is consistent and maintains his form. Kearney hasn't and he's been shown up as not very physical a few times since.
Can't handle the big fellas.

By Anonymous, at April 14, 2010 1:06 am
^To be fair to Kearney, anonymous, not all backs can be Lomu or Bastareaud, and scrap it up with the second-rowers and what-not.

I agree with some anonymous way up there, that Kearney did seem off this season (compared to last season, though...which is pretty hard to follow), but has been getting back on form, it seems.

Anyone know when Fitzgerald is set to come back?

By pluto, at April 14, 2010 5:50 am
Hey Pluto, I agree that alot of backs physically will get overpowered.
Kearney is just one of them, and it means, while he has other strengths, that is one of his weaknesses.
He's still a good player, a good fullback to have in your team.
It's jsut that base don the form he showed in South Africa, he looked like he might develop into one of the best fullbacks in the world.
Sadly, based on his form and impact since, he's just an above average player, not a world beater.
I could be proven wrong of course, if he picks up his game.

By Anonymous, at April 14, 2010 8:57 am
From a neutral. I thought those little drives came from wonderful technique, body position and good controlled aggression. Just what you want in every player in a team.

By Anonymous, at April 14, 2010 8:57 am
Malzieu is really fit these days and plays well (he was brilliant too during 6N).

But he can not always express himself on the pitch and has to become more regular.

Let's hope he'll carry on cause he's sort of unique : strong yet not heavy, quick but tall, with a great sense off attacking : he's the kind of guy that makes the opposite team ask herself "what is going to happen ?"

By Ulf, at April 14, 2010 11:45 am
to strong!

By Anonymous, at April 14, 2010 1:09 pm