Dakuwaqa outshines Bielle-Biarrey as Stade Francais beat Bordeaux-Begles / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
Dakuwaqa outshines Bielle-Biarrey as Stade Francais beat Bordeaux-Begles
Fiji winger Peniasi Dakuwaqa outplayed opposite man Louis Bielle-Biarrey as Stade Francais beat rusty Bordeaux-Begles 28-7 in the French Top 14 on Saturday.
Dakuwaqa scored a try and provided an assist in a 17-minute spell in the first half as the Parisians moved up to second in the table after four rounds.
Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles lost for a second time this season. They were upset by Racing 92, also in the French capital, two weeks ago.
Dakuwaqa, 28, made his first contribution at Stade Jean-Bouin, also home to Ligue 1 football side Paris FC this season, as he set up South African centre Jeremy Ward with subtle chip kick.
Dakuwaqa then put his side 18-0 up at the break as he crossed for a second time this season.
The only points for Bordeaux-Begles, last season's losing Top 14 finalists, came from France forward Cameron Woki's try and Matthieu Jalibert's conversion.
French rugby's latest poster boy Bielle-Biarrey was quiet, having scored 33 times in 30 games for club and country last season.
Stade Francais made sure of victory, but missed out on the bonus point. Captain Paul Gabrillagues scored a try and fly-half Louis Carbonel, the league's leading scorer, kicked five points from the tee.
Dakuwaqa is set to face Bielle-Biarrey once again on November 15 as the Pacific Islanders take on France in Bordeaux.
Later on Saturday in the Top 14, La Rochelle will be without Wallabies lock Will Skelton as they host Perpignan. He returns to Australia for the Test with New Zealand on October 5.
Toulouse welcome local rivals Castres, a week after losing 44-14 at Montpellier for their heaviest defeat in four years.
On Sunday, last term's two losing semi-finalists Bayonne and Toulon meet in the Basque Country.
S.Crespo--GM
