French Magic: Three players who stood out in Villeneuve’s win over Albi
Photo courtesy of Treize Mondial
Villeneuve edged past Albi on Day Two of the French Magic Weekend, and we’ve highlighted three of the game’s standout players.
Lasarusa Tabu (Villeneuve)
The Fijian front-rower certainly takes some stopping. All the eyes were on ex-Hull prop Levy Nzoungou before the game – but Tabu took the headlines following a dominant display through the middle.
At 30 years of age, Tabu is in his prime years as a prop but he looks fit and mobile for a big man. He was sin-binned for a high shot in the game but he made up for his mistake with a number of explosive carries.
Tabu previously spent two seasons at Albi and he definitely got the better of his former club on the day. The Pacific Islander is a big unit who fans love to watch.
Theo Lardot (Albi)
The 21-year-old would be a handy pickup for a Championship or League 1 club. He played back-row for Albi but he has great hands and could be used as an old fashioned loose forward.
The Tigers have a great player on their hands in Lardot. He was the standout star on the park and is immensely agile for a forward.
Lardot hails from Marseille and has spent time in the system at Super League outfit Catalans – but he didn’t make a first-team appearance for the Dragons. He has an exciting future in rugby league.
Latrell Schaumkel (Villeneuve)
The 25-year-old centre boasts a huge presence on the right flank for Villeneuve. Schaumkel scored a fine try in the first half and was a thorn in Albi’s side all afternoon.
Schaumkel has played for Newton Jets, Wynnum Manly Seagulls and North Sydney Bears Down Under, so he is one of the more experienced players for the Leopards.
He has also earned five caps for Niue on the international stage, scoring four tries. Schaumkel played for the Rock at the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship alongside former London, Doncaster and Barrow ace Zeb Luisi.
