Paia’aua hopes Toulon can 'learn from past experiences' as they target Challenge Cup crown
Paia’aua was involved back in 2020 when Toulon fell to Bristol
©INPHO / EPCR
Toulon centre Duncan Paia’aua hopes his team can “learn from their past experiences” ahead of this Friday’s Challenge Cup final in Dublin.
After seeing off Benetton 23-0 in the semi-final, the French side are now set to face Glasgow Warriors, with both clubs desperate for some major silverware.
Having fallen short in recent years - losing finals against Bristol Bears (2020) and Lyon 12 months ago - Paia’aua hopes Toulon can use their previous failings in this competition to their advantage as they target their first-ever Challenge Cup.
“I’ve been here four years and this will be my third Challenge Cup grand final, so hopefully it’s third time lucky and we can learn from our past experiences,” said the Top 14 centre.
"This is one competition we haven’t won yet, so it will be good to have this banner up in the club.”
Toulon have been deprived of any form of silverware since their legendary team of the 2010s won three Champions Cups in a row - a side that contained stars like Jonny Wilkinson, Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha and Matt Giteau.
Whilst the Challenge Cup isn’t Europe’s premier competition, Paia’aua still believes winning the trophy would be a big moment for Toulon.
"Obviously any kind of silverware is going to be good for the club, and it’s been a long time coming. They’re still living off those really good years with those superstars in the team, but we’re really excited for this grand final”, said the two-time Samoan international.
Glasgow Warriors have had a high-flying campaign, finishing 4th in the United Rugby Championship and reaching their first-ever European final. Franco Smith’s debut season in charge has been an impressive one, and Paia’aua is aware of the threat the Scottish club pose.
"It’s going be a tough battle against Glasgow, as you know they’re a very good Scottish team and most of them play for Scotland. They’re going to be very fit and very classy and that’s what we’ve been preparing for this week."
The Samoan international was also full of praise for the impressive form his former Australian U20s centre partner and likely opposite number on Friday night, Sione Tuipulotu, has shown in recent months.
"I’m good friends with Sione, and he’s done very well since he’s gone to Scotland,” said the Toulon back.
"He’s a running threat, he’s a passing threat and he’s also a kicking threat, so I think we’ll be keeping a watchful eye over him and hopefully contain him.
"Obviously the battle in the centres is going to be very interesting. They’re very good players and obviously they’re the centre pairing for Scotland [Tuipulotu and Huw Jones] and have played a lot of games together.
The Toulon man continued stating he was fully “up for the challenge” and he is feeling refreshed after he was rested for last week's Top 14 clash against Racing.
"For me, it’s just about doing my job for the team, but when you want to be the best you have got to come up against the best, especially in the battle of the centres,” said Paia’aua.
"Obviously I didn’t play last week and I feel like the boys are refreshed now. It’s a long season and we’ve still got a lot of club footy to play until the end of the season. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident and ready to go."
Alongside Paia’aua, there is a whole host of quality and star-studded internationals littered across both sides, and this Friday's Challenge Cup final is set to be a cracking affair.
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