Toulon counting on Rugby star for Top 14 final

pulse

May 29, 2017 5:22 PM

"We won't say what he has but Ma'a Nonu trained today (Monday). We're counting on him for the final," said Boudjellal.

RC Toulon's New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu warms up ahead of the French Top 14 rugby union match between Bordeaux-Begles and Toulon at Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux on April 29, 2017

Toulon are targeting a fifth title and first since 2014 against European Cup runners-up Clermont, the 2010 Top 14 champions, in Sunday's final in Stade de France.

Boudjellal did not confirm whether injured fly-half François Trinh-Duc, who missed the 18-15 semi-final win over La Rochelle, or lock Romain Taofifenua, who picked up a knock during the game, would be fit.

"The first results were rather encouraging for many players, but they are only the first results," he said.

Former England and Toulon star fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has also been called in as a consultant kicking coach with star Welsh kicker Leigh Halfpenny on duty with the British and Irish Lions.

"We called in Jonny this week to work with the kickers and we'll decide once he has worked with everyone," said Boudjellal, who conceded he was worried by the idea of playing a final without a great kicker.

"But we have several players who kick. We have Trinh-Duc if he plays, (Anthony) Belleau isn't a bad kicker, (Matt) Giteau, (James) O'Connor, (Eric) Escande, there are several."

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