Veteran 42-year-old New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu made history on Saturday when he became the oldest man to play in the French Top 14.

The two-time World Cup winner went into the record books when he came on as second-half replacement in Toulon’s 28-26 loss at Castres.

Nonu, in his third spell with the French club, has signed as medical cover for the rest of the season. Having played at Toulon from 2015-2018 and then again in the 2020-2021 campaign, the 103-time capped Nonu moved to the United States to play in San Diego.

On Saturday, he replaced French international winger Gabin Villiere on the hour mark. In his 20-minute cameo, Nonu played a key role in setting up Fijian winger Jiuta Wainiqolo’s 74th-minute try.

Overall, Toulon outscored Castres by four tries to three with Jules Coulon, Gianmarco Lucchesi adding to Wainiqolo’s second-half brace. Castres’ tries all came in the first half from Santiago Arata, Vilimoni Botitu and Christian Ambadiang.

Despite the loss, Toulon stay in third place in the standings, one point behind Bordeaux-Begles and seven behind leaders Toulouse.

Ange Capuozzo returned from international duty to score a hat-trick of tries as Toulouse reasserted their grip by crushing Pau 55-10.

Toulouse coach Ugo Mola was able to make 11 changes to his starting 15 from the loss in Bordeaux, but he was still missing star France halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.

Elsewhere, Bayonne moved to fourth place with a bonus-point 28-14 win over Lyon who saw Georgian winger Darrit Niniashvili stretchered off and hospitalised after a nasty collision with Arthur Iturria.

La Rochelle, who haven’t won a game since January 4, lost 33-19 at Clermont.

© Agence France-Presse