The Japan Times - Ex-All Black Kerr-Barlow relishing Top 14 reunion with 'juggernauts' La Rochelle

Kerr-Barlow spent eight seasons at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, lifting the Champions Cup twice, before joining the Parisians this season having not been offered a new contract on the Atlantic coast.

La Rochelle's squad includes France internationals such as Gregory Alldritt and Nolann Le Garrec, giant Australia lock Will Skelton and livewire Georgia full-back Davit Niniashvili.

"They've won a couple of championships, and they've been in so many finals over the years," Kerr-Barlow told AFP at Stade Francais's training centre on Monday.

"They're in a real good spot, obviously, going forward.

"One of the juggernauts of world rugby," he added.

Kerr-Barlow signed for La Rochelle in 2017 after making 27 Test appearances for the All Blacks, including winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

His arrival came barely three campaigns after their promotion to the Top 14, before the Champions Cup double followed swiftly in what was a remarkable rise for the club.

"They were obviously two tremendous occasions," Kerr-Barlow said.

"Probably what stands out more is how far the club progressed in the time I was allowed to be a part of it, which is really cool."

- Final repeat -

Kerr-Barlow turned 35 this summer but is far from the oldest All Black World Cup winner in the Top 14.

Former New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu, who lifted the 2015 Webb Ellis trophy alongside Kerr-Barlow, celebrated his 43rd birthday in May, and has scored two tries for Toulon this season.

"I don't think I'll be going quite as long as Ma'a, but in saying that, I've always maintained he's the most professional rugby player I've got to play beside," Kerr-Barlow said.

"He's much more athletic than myself, and he's much more professional, but it's really nice seeing him still doing well at this level into his 40s," he added.

Kerr-Barlow's Stade Francais head into this weekend's Top 14 game in a good place, second in the table after three wins from five outings this season.

La Rochelle, however, have stumbled to just two victories and two losses, including last Saturday's 37-13 humbling at Montpellier, as they sit 11th.

Despite their rusty start, Kerr-Barlow's replacement in the half-back jersey, Le Garrec has started the campaign superbly, having originally come through at Racing 92 as a teenager.

"He's an extremely good player," Kerr-Barlow said.

"He's been a good player ever since he was about 19 years old, so it's really nice to see his progression.

"Hopefully, he continues to improve throughout his career at La Rochelle," the veteran added.

Sunday's headline clash sees a repeat of last year's final as Top 14 title-holders Toulouse take on reigning Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Begles at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Neither side has hit the ground running this campaign with two losses apiece as Bordeaux-Begles sit in fourth, one spot above the hosts.

Toulouse will be looking for a statement win against their rivals, especially after last weekend's convincing 40-26 defeat at Bayonne.

Table-toppers Bayonne make the trip to sixth-placed Pau to open the weekend's action on Saturday.

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday

Pau v Bayonne (1230), Lyon v Perpignan, Racing 92 v Montpellier, Stade Francais v La Rochelle, Montauban v Castres (all 1435), Clermont v Toulon (1900)

Sunday

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Begles (1905)

K.Abe--JT