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Brilliance from Patricio Fernández saw Clermont to an away win over Brive this afternoon. Clermont won the match 40-16 with the Argentine play-maker scoring 30 points.
Scoring two tries, converting four and kicking four penalties saw the Rosario fly half completing the best performance of his career for Clermont. The performance underlined his potential as a player for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
For now Los Pumas duty is on hold. In playing in Europe Fernández is unable to be considered for international duty. Under existing rules players can only be called up from Europe under exceptional circumstances. Fernández is under contract with Clermont until mid-2018.
Fernández’s 30 point haul helped Les Jaunards extend their lead in the Top 14. After nine rounds the central French club has 32 points and a five point lead over Toulon and Montpellier who share second spot.
Against Brive Fernández scored a try in either half. Three of Clermon’t tries came in the opening half with Charlie Cassang and Noa Nakaitaci both scoring one each. This gave Clermont a 27-9 half time advantage.
Brive looked to work their way back into the game in the second half. A try by French prop Lucas Pointud aided their cause. Fernández, though, took control through goal kicking. His superb afternoon from the tee was followed by a second try five minutes from full time.
