Wed 28 May 2014 | 07:09
George Pisi's brutal blindside hit on Nick Abendanon in Challenge Cup Final

10
Comments

Nick Abendanon played his final game for Bath in the 30-16 Amlin Challenge Cup final loss to Northampton Saints. The nuggety fullback has racked up a huge amount of Bath caps, and during that time has been on the receiving end of a fair share of big hits.

England capped Abendanon missed out on a fairytale farewell in his final game before joining Clermont Auvergne. The 27-year-old found himself in an unfortunate position early in the second half as turnover ball went his way, but he had his back turned to Samoan hitman, George Pisi.

It was a brutal hit, but as we've come to expect from the tough as nails fullback, he got back up. Former Saints flyhalf Ryan Lamb made a pretty accurate observation about it on twitter.

It's not the first time that Pisi has smashed Abendanon. A few years back the Bath back made a big hit of his own, but then later in the game Pisi came flying in with a massive crash tackle.

In 2010 he couldn't get up straight away when George Stowers floored him with a flailing forearm, and then a year later against Leicester Tigers, it was a Tuilagi nightmare of epic proportions.

Both Manu and Alesana knocked him about, and as if that wasn't enough, he then received a big tackle from a Tongan, Steve Mafi. His courage to keep getting up was hugely admirable.

Clermont are getting a gutsy player, who will cope with some of the rough stuff that the highly competitive Top 14 brings. Bath fans will miss him. As will all the Samoans in the Premiership.

"It's meant a huge amount to be here a decade. I've loved it - it's been a great ride," he said.

10 Comments

  • rufio
    7:58 PM 30/05/2014

    Not quite. I can think of a few that are probably better (in my opinion) Foden/Tait/Lewsey/Brown to name a few.

  • rufio
    7:43 PM 30/05/2014

    i think you'll find it adamantium!!

  • jimmy23
    9:10 AM 29/05/2014

    I've come to the conclusion that Abendanon's ribs are laced with steel

  • lockdown
    8:37 AM 29/05/2014

    He was the best attacking full back in the Aviva!

  • guy
    7:40 AM 29/05/2014

    I've got such big respect for this guy. Got up so many times from such big hits. And never took a step back. Seems like a great caracter!

  • drg
    2:20 AM 29/05/2014

    Actually one of the most amusing things from here is seeing the clip that is related: http://www.rugbydump.com/2011/12/2292/nick-abendanon-crunches-lee-dickson-then-gets-smashed-by-george-pisi and listening to Barnes commentary on Abendanons tackle - The guy would be up in arms today moaning and groaning about how it should be a card of some colour..

  • drg
    1:42 AM 29/05/2014

    Brilliant to see a short bit of history between the two players get another chapter. Good sport from Abendanon, gets smashed but accepts the fact is was fair and square!

    He has had a brutal career in the Premiership but he's bounced back so many times!

  • eddie-g
    11:38 PM 28/05/2014

    He not only got up, he acknowledged the hit to Pisi. Top attitude.

    I feel England did take a decent look at him, he certainly earned a few caps, I think the issue was he seemed to make a couple of bad errors a game. Especially at fullback, that's not something coaches have the stomach for.

    But good luck to him at Clermont, they've got a good man joining their squad.

  • 11:37 PM 28/05/2014

    I think this penalty is a little harsh, the 9 might not even realized that the ball went forward.

  • facepalm
    10:37 PM 28/05/2014

    The premiership will sorely miss this guy. Top bloke, and unlucky to never really get a chance for England. I suspect this sparks the end of any further potential caps. Not a Bath fan but I've got a lot of time for Abendanon.

    Great hit.