Yato, still going strong at 33

At the age of 33 veteran Fijian forward Peceli Yato showed that he still got what it takes to play top level rugby.

The backrower scored two tries for USA Perpignan in their 47-24 win over second-tier promotion hopefuls Provence in their end of the season play-offs. Perpignan has secured their spot for next season’s French Top 14 competition.

Starting for Perpignan was centre Alivereti Duguivalu while Yato came in as a substitute early into the game.

He crossed either side of half-time while Argentina No.8 Joaquin Oviedo crossed on two occasions as the Catalans won the Top 14 ‘Access Match’ for the fourth time in the five years since they were promoted back to the top flight in 2021.

Winger Theo Forner, hooker Igancio Ruiz and centre Jeronimo de la Fuente also scored for the 2009 French champions in a match worth up to a reported 10 million euros (FJ$25.6 million) for the winners.

“I’m feeling a lot of relief,” Perpignan head coach Laurent Labit told reporters.

“We’ll now try to build a team to avoid experiencing a fifth play-off in six years.”

It was hard luck for Provence, who had Flying Fijians No.10 Caleb Muntz starting along with former Fiji 7s forward Setareki Bituniyata on the wing while Albert Tuisue started off the bench.

Bituniyata after copping a yellow card in the 42nd came back to score a try in 73rd by it was too late.

Levani Botia’s La Rochelle is out of the Top 14 semi-final after they suffered a 45-5 defeat to Stade Francais Paris.

The first semi-final will see Toulouse taking on Racing 92 while Montpellier faces Stade Francais Paris in the second semi-final.

Meanwhile, Yato, Botia and Muntz are included in the Flying Fijians squad to play in next month’s Nations Championship.

Racing 92 is holding back their Flying Fijian players of Josua Tuisova, Vinaya Habosi and Selestino Ravutaumada after they play in the semi-final.