Mata maintains consistency for Edinburgh, helps them beat Castres 34-21

Rugby-Union

Mata maintains consistency for Edinburgh, helps them beat Castres 34-21

By Mosese Raqio

17/12/2023

Source: The offside line

Fiji Water Flying Fijians number 8 Viliame Mata continued his consistency for his Edinburgh side helping them beat Castre 34-21 in their European Challenge Cup match this morning.

Mata carried 9 times for his team gaining 43 metres, winning 2 turnovers and also completing 13 tackles, the second most completions in the game.

Former Flying Fijians lock Leone Nakarawa came off the bench for Castres to score a try in the 70th minute but was not enough as Edinburgh held on.

Castres was reduced to 14 men early in the first half after Fijian centre Adrea Cocagi was red-carded for a dangerous tackle in the 7th minute.

Flying Fijians utility back Vilimoni Botitu also came off the bench for Castres late in the second half but could not make much impact as Edinburgh had done enough to claim the win.

In other Challenge Cup matches this morning, Zebre beat Oyonnax, Onisi Ratave’s Benetton beat Edward Sawailau’s USA Perpignan 29-7, Lions beat Newcastle 35-13 while Jale Vatubua helped Pau beat Gwent Dragons 24-21.