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Mon 6 May 2013 | 06:46
Jonny Wilkinson absolutely smashed by huge Opeti Fonua

45
Comments

Jonny Wilkinson was on the receiving end of one of the biggest knocks of his career as Toulon beat Agen 43-21 at the Stade Felix Mayol on Saturday. Wilkinson, who wasn't included in the initial Lions squad, didn't suffer any long term effects from the collision.

Winger Alexis Palisson scored a hat-trick of tries while former Springbok Danie Rossouw scored a brace as the home side secured a comfortable victory on the last weekend of Top 14 pool play.

Early in the second half Wilkinson went in for a trademark tackle but ended up picking on the wrong man, as massive Opeti Fonua came charging towards him, sending him flying at a rate of knots.

The former England star left the field for a concussion check, but returned shortly afterwards. He didn't last long though and left a few minutes later again to stick an icepack on the shoulder. The Toulon camp have since confirmed that he should be okay to play again soon.

It was great to see how quickly Agen centre Nafi Tuitavake was to get across to Wilkinson to see that he was okay, as well as one of the other players sticking their hands up recognising the possiblity of a serious injury.

As you can see in the [updated] clip, Fonua also bumped off David Smith and big Danie Rossouw.

Ross Skeate confirmed earlier that Fonua is weighing in at around 146kg's at the moment.

Both Toulon and table toppers Clermont have Semi Final spots lined up, where they will face the winners of Toulouse vs Racing Metro, and Castres vs Montpellier respectively. The playoff games take place this coming weekend, while the semis will be on the 24th and 25th May.

Posted By: Grant Constable

45 Comments

  • drg
    12:49 PM 11/05/2013

    I remember that, I had a friend at Uni who played in that match, he said Collins must have been playing at about 40% and was still being a major pain in the ass!

  • jimothy
    12:05 AM 11/05/2013

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2324673/All-Black-gives-Barnstaple-second-XV-the-edge.html

    Jerry Collins did just that! Imagine being the opposition 9 and knowing JC is at 8! Squeaky bum time me thinks!!!

  • drg
    11:27 AM 09/05/2013

    Sends shivers that you can have an 8 that big... imagine turning up to your club match on a Saturday, you're all warming up, going through a few moves and a beast that size comes out for the opposition team...He's 6'5.5" according to wiki.. I'm 6'6" and I weigh about 110kg's give or take...

    Puts a bit of terrifying perspective on things...

  • drg
    11:22 AM 09/05/2013

    Haha, last line had me laughing out loud!

  • drg
    11:18 AM 09/05/2013

    After this tackle, I think Wilkinson would have given that bus a concussion...

  • superrugbyfan
    7:40 AM 09/05/2013

    I'm pretty sure Fonua and Henry have gone a few rounds against each other

  • rugbydump
    11:27 PM 08/05/2013

    You're welcome, and thank you.

  • frenchie
    11:20 PM 08/05/2013

    To be honest not the best tackle, but loads of guts for sure

  • benny
    7:28 PM 08/05/2013

    The Tongans have no respect for the laws of physics. They produce Jonah, a winger bigger than most loosies, then this #8 who is bigger than most props, and Taumalolo, a prop who scores more tries than most wingers. Sick

  • drg
    7:07 PM 08/05/2013

    I disagree with your last sentence "skillful rugby player....uh - no!"

    Well firstly he is a bit more skillful enough to be playing pro-rugby... Secondly I think he was probably just as surprised to have Wilko "front up" and even attempt to tackle. I have no doubt that JW put a huge amount of force into that hit... It was just the lighter of the two forces was flung away...

  • fatprop
    6:47 PM 08/05/2013

    He is linked with scarlets, what a back row Barclay Shingler Fonua

  • 2:31 PM 08/05/2013

    To be fair I doubt no-one (apart from the locks) would have long enough arms to get around one leg ... let alone both legs

  • 2:29 PM 08/05/2013

    That was before breakfast

  • guy
    12:31 PM 08/05/2013

    Maybe you should offer to teach him how to tackle properly?!

  • stroudos
    8:41 AM 08/05/2013

    Unfair. ROG, despite his inability to tackle, I don't think I've seen him shirk a tackle. Cipriani would be a better example, unless he's tackling buses that is.

  • themull
    3:06 AM 08/05/2013

    Absolute monster of a man..as usual Wilko is a man and puts his body on the line...unfortunately in this situatuon there's nothing he could've done...

  • reality
    1:28 AM 08/05/2013

    God, I'd love to see someone famous for big-hitting tackles and who weighs a lot (a forward) tackle this guy. Stephen Ferris vs Fonua would be probably the most powerful collision ever seen in rugby. I can't imagine either of them losing, but I can't imagine either of them winning either. Or maybe Henry Tuilagi vs Fonua would be even more earth-shattering.

    Incidentally, does anyone understand why the crowd started booing after play was stopped? Were they booing Fonua, Wilkinson or the referee? And why?

  • reality
    1:23 AM 08/05/2013

    There'd be a Ronan O'Gara-shaped hole in the ground.

  • guy
    11:26 PM 07/05/2013

    This is just one more amazing piece of proof of all the effort that is being put into this site and the interest RD takes in all followers and their comments.

    Thanks RD: I bet since posting this video everyone had been waiting for this. Top notch!

  • rugbydump
    10:52 PM 07/05/2013

    Just heard from his Agen teammate Ross Skeate, who says that Fonua told him earlier today that he is coming in around 146kg's at the moment.

  • danknapp
    10:15 PM 07/05/2013

    I can smell the hypothetical fear now...

  • waxy90
    9:09 PM 07/05/2013

    True man, but in this case that guy weighs 150kg whether u go high or low you are in for a treat hahaha.

  • browner
    6:52 PM 07/05/2013

    Interestingly, once upon a time JW used to tackle lower than this ....... but recent law changes have resulted in higher & higher tackle attempts - AKA rugby league style. IMO it's leading to more injured Ball carriers & defenders than in days gone by. Any comment?

    2ndly, after the wilkinson hit, he made

  • drg
    2:53 PM 07/05/2013

    Poor ROG is getting a bit of a bashing in this comment section...

  • cheyanqui
    2:07 PM 07/05/2013

    this friggin guy leaves a groove in the asphalt...

  • cheyanqui
    2:01 PM 07/05/2013

    something every big boy dreams of -- to smash a flyhalf, and to smash a marquee guy like a Wilko. But glad to see Agen know the difference between a good hit and something that might actually hurt-hurt a member of our brotherhood.

    Full credit to Jonny who still at his age and level still steps up to the physical part of the game -- at this stage of his career, many "emeritus" backs end up being human turnstiles (or always were, like Ronan O'Gara). But Wilko still stands and delivers as best he can.

  • poccio
    1:35 PM 07/05/2013

    this reminds me of the video on the importance of tackling low!!

  • mattyj
    12:57 PM 07/05/2013

    WHAT A MONSTER!

  • rugbydump
    12:37 PM 07/05/2013

    The bump on Danie Rossouw is included in a longer, updated clip above.

  • welshosprey
    12:28 PM 07/05/2013

    Imagine if Ronan O'Gara had to make that tackle

  • danknapp
    12:17 PM 07/05/2013

    Respect between professionals. Footballers, take note.

  • matt
    12:02 PM 07/05/2013

    and also that has meant he has spent much of his career on side lines.

  • drg
    10:22 AM 07/05/2013

    ...*facepalm*.. They're all out today lol..

  • guy
    9:54 AM 07/05/2013

    And for those that spend most of their spare time on National Geographic Channel: a rampaging rhinocerous.

  • jeppy89
    9:54 AM 07/05/2013

    Digging a hole with his gumshield haha stealing that!!!!

  • guy
    9:53 AM 07/05/2013

    He did enough to slow him down which made it easier for his teammates to tackle him.

    Two very commited players. Great to watch, great to hear Wilkinson will be okay and absolutely wonderfull to see one of the Agen players pay attention to him immediately.

    As I said before: God I love this sport!

  • danknapp
    7:24 AM 07/05/2013

    A fucking tank, for those of you of a more poetic mind.

  • vannrugby
    6:31 AM 07/05/2013

    He's wearing 24 because his No. 8 got torn (there is no No. 24!). He usually starts at No. 8. As Agen is relegated, he'll play for another team next year, maybe Perpignan.

  • jimter10
    6:01 AM 07/05/2013

    what an absolute monster.Wilkinson did't flinch about hitting hard and up top,but he got totalled.he doesn't do self preservation,rog would have been digging a hole with his gum shield to get out the way,as would i

  • totesmcgoates
    2:10 AM 07/05/2013

    A man and a half for those of you not good with numbers.

  • merja
    1:49 AM 07/05/2013

    Or 133kg for the non British and non Americans

  • stubby
    1:12 AM 07/05/2013

    Nice to see the Hulk's skin tinting treatment is progressing well. 21 stone = 294 lbs for the non British.

  • dunndone
    11:49 PM 06/05/2013

    Poor Wilko not as young as he used to be but to be fair Fonua is a tank in a mans clothing.

  • upthelowend
    11:44 PM 06/05/2013

    and then some... 21 stone back rower, thats something else...

  • ando
    11:39 PM 06/05/2013

    Geez he's a big unit!

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