Toulon …………28
Zebre…………….14
CHESLIN Kolbe made his long-awaited Toulon debut as his side eased past Zebre at Stade Felix Mayol on Friday night for a bonus point win in their first game of this season's Challenge Cup.
The Springbok star made the shock transfer from Toulouse back in August but has been unavailable for his new club due to a leg injury.
Zebre's Achilles heel was their discipline as referee Laurent Cardona sent Danilo Fiscetti, Pierre Bruno and Giovanni Licata to the sin bin.
Prop Emerick Setiano opened the scoring with a converted pick and go try, before wonderful hands in Zebre's backline led to Fijian 7s Olympic gold medallist Asaeli Tuivuaka going over for a converted score.
Former Ireland international Quinn Roux scored a close range touchdown on the stroke of half-time, putting the hosts 14-7 ahead.
Toulon enhanced their lead at the start of the second period through scrum-half Baptiste Serin's quick tap and go try that caught the Zebre defence off guard.
A penalty try secured Toulon's bonus point win as a driving maul off a lineout forced the visitors to infringe on their own try line.
Zebre scored a late consolation score off their own successful driving maul, with substitute Jacopo Bianchi dotting down for a converted score.
TEAMS
TOULON: Cordin, Wainiqolo, Salles, Heriteau (Luc 41, Carbonel 73), Kolbe, Carbonel, Serin (c) (Takulua 73); Fresia (Gros 50), Etrillard (Sosene-Feagai 50), Setiano (Brookes 21), Roux, Alainu'uese (‘Coulon 20), Ory (Timani 51), Lakafia, Du Preez
ZEBRE: Trulla, Bruno (Buonfiglio 41, Laloifi 72), Cronjé, Boni (c) (O'Malley 51), Tuivuaka, Canna, Fusco (Palazzani 68); Fischetti (Buonfiglio 60), Bigi (Fabiani 13), Bello (Neculai 53), Sisi, Zambonin, Mitchell (Bianchi 68), Andreani (Licata 17, Andreani 27), Tuivaiti (Licata 59)
REFEREE: Laurent Cardona (Fr)
ATTENDANCE: 10,000
Star man
Cornell du Preez – Toulon
