Conference One Round 2 Review: Taupล Hold On, Chamberlain Sets Record, Perth Hit Back
<h3>Taupล Stay Perfect as Perth, Bordeaux and Pioneers Make Big Statements WFR XXX Conference One — Round 2</h3>
<p>Review WFR Conference One Round 2 delivered a huge set of results, with dominant wins, one-point drama, defensive shutouts, a WFR record off the boot, and another major WFRTV result as Taupล Toa edged the Californian Grizzlies 14-10. After two rounds, the early shape of the competition is starting to sharpen. Taupล Toa remain unbeaten after surviving a tense second-half stalemate against California. Peninsula Pioneers continue to look composed and dangerous. Edinburgh Cannon held their nerve in a wild 34-32 thriller against Paris Titans. Bordeaux Les Damiers bounced back strongly. Perth Reds made a major response against Hawkes Bay. And Buenos Aires Bombers opened their account by shutting Brisbane out from the tryline. Conference One is already proving unpredictable — and every point feels valuable.</p>
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<h3>Taupล Hold Off Grizzlies in WFRTV Arm Wrestle</h3>
<p><strong>Taupล Toa 14 def. Californian Grizzlies 10 - WFRTV Featured Match</strong></p>
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<p>Taupล Toa continued their strong start to Conference One with a tense 14-10 victory over the Californian Grizzlies in the Round 2 WFRTV fixture. All the scoring came in the first half, with Taupล leading 14-10 at halftime before both teams were locked out in a scoreless second half. The Toa scored two tries through Dylan Eti and Evan Roos, with Rivez Reihana converting both. California replied through Zion Going, with Handre Pollard adding the conversion and a penalty goal. The numbers told a fascinating story. Taupล dominated possession with 71%, but California actually won the territory battle 55% to 45%. That meant the Grizzlies spent long periods defending without the ball, but still managed to keep Taupล under pressure through field position and tackling volume. California made a massive 95 tackles compared with Taupล’s 54, showing just how much defensive work the Grizzlies were forced to absorb. Taupล had six handling errors and one injury, but their offloading game stood out, producing five offloads to California’s zero. The result was built on patience and control. Taupล had the ball, California fought for territory, and neither side could find a second-half breakthrough. For Taupล, this was not their most explosive performance, but it may be one of their most valuable. Winning tight matches is often what separates contenders from the rest.</p>
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<p><strong> Standout โญ Rivez Reihana — Taupล Toa</strong></p>
<p>Reihana converted both Taupล tries in a match where every kick mattered. His calm goal-kicking helped the Toa protect a narrow four-point lead for the entire second half. </p>
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<h3>Bordeaux Bounce Back Against Santiago</h3>
<p><strong>Bordeaux Les Damiers 32 def. Santiago Condors 12 </strong></p>
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<p>Bordeaux Les Damiers produced a commanding Round 2 response, defeating Santiago Condors 32-12 after a dominant first-half performance. After their Round 1 loss to Taupล, Bordeaux needed a statement — and they delivered early. Thomas Dolhagaray controlled the opening stages with the boot, kicking penalty goals in the 6th, 10th and 16th minutes before Emilien Gailleton scored the first try in the 21st minute. Dolhagaray converted and later added another penalty goal to send Bordeaux into halftime with a commanding 19-0 lead. The pressure continued after the break, with Dolhagaray adding another penalty in the 42nd minute before Pierre Bourgarit crossed in the 57th. That pushed Bordeaux out to 29-0 and effectively sealed the result. Santiago finally found life through Santiago Videla in the 60th minute, and Rodrigo Fernandez added another try at fulltime, but the Condors had left themselves too much to do. Bordeaux controlled 65% possession, spent 50 minutes in opposition territory, and repeatedly punished Santiago’s discipline issues. The Condors also suffered another injury setback, with Sebastian Cancelliere ruled out for at least two to three games.</p>
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<p><strong>Standout โญ Thomas Dolhagaray - Bordeaux Les Damiers </strong></p>
<p>Dolhagaray was superb, kicking two conversions and six penalty goals for a 22-point haul. His accuracy and control gave Bordeaux complete scoreboard command. </p>
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<h3>Bombers Ground Pirates in Buenos Aires</h3>
<p><strong>Buenos Aires Bombers 17 def. Brisbane Pirates 3 </strong></p>
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<p>Buenos Aires Bombers claimed a badly needed Round 2 win, defeating Brisbane Pirates 17-3 in a physical contest where defensive resilience proved decisive. Brisbane had more possession and territory, but the Bombers were far more efficient when scoring chances arrived. The sides traded early penalty goals, with Declan Meredith opening for Brisbane before Joaquin de la Vega Mendia levelled for Buenos Aires. After Agustin Fraga was yellow-carded in the 12th minute, Brisbane had a chance to take control, but they failed to turn the advantage into points. That proved costly. Alejo Lavayen scored in the 31st minute, with de la Vega Mendia converting to give the Bombers a 10-3 halftime lead. Early in the second half, Joaquin Pellandini crossed after a TMO review, and de la Vega Mendia again added the extras to make it 17-3. Brisbane pushed repeatedly in the final quarter, winning the lineout battle 21-12 and holding 58.75% possession, but the Pirates could not crack the Bombers defence. Their final attacking chance in the 80th minute went upstairs to the video referee, only for the try to be ruled out. The Bombers’ win was built on grit, not glamour. They absorbed pressure, defended their line, and punished Brisbane when chances came.</p>
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<p><strong>Standout โญ Joaquin de la Vega Mendia - Buenos Aires Bombers</strong></p>
<p>De la Vega Mendia kicked a penalty goal and two conversions, finishing with seven points while steering the Bombers through a tough defensive win. </p>
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<h3>Chamberlain Kicks Edinburgh to Record-Breaking Thriller</h3>
<p><strong>Edinburgh Cannon 34 def. Paris Titans 32 </strong></p>
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<p>Edinburgh Cannon and Paris Titans produced the match of the round, with Edinburgh surviving a dramatic 34-32 thriller thanks to a record-breaking kicking performance from Nathan Chamberlain. Paris scored four tries to Edinburgh’s one, but Chamberlain’s boot proved decisive. The Edinburgh first five kicked eight penalty goals from nine attempts, setting a WFR record for penalties scored, while also adding a conversion and a drop goal. His final penalty in the 76th minute put Edinburgh ahead 34-32, and the Cannon held on through the closing stages. The match swung constantly. Leo Coly gave Paris the first try in the 13th minute, but Edinburgh stayed close through Chamberlain’s penalties before Cameron Jones scored in the 28th minute. Paris hit back before halftime through Paul Boudehent, leaving Edinburgh ahead 19-15 at the break. The second half became chaos. Chamberlain landed a drop goal in the 45th minute before Antoine Hastoy and Giorgi Beria helped Paris drag the game level at 25-25. Beria then scored again in the 62nd minute, giving Paris a 32-28 lead. But Chamberlain refused to let Edinburgh slip. Penalties in the 66th and 76th minutes brought the Cannon back in front and sealed a remarkable win. Both sides also spent time down to 14 men, with Gregor Brown yellow-carded for Edinburgh and Matteo Le Corvec shown yellow for Paris.</p>
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<p><strong>Standout โญ Nathan Chamberlain - Edinburgh Cannon</strong></p>
<p>A record-breaking performance. Chamberlain kicked eight penalty goals, one conversion and a drop goal, finishing with 29 points and carrying Edinburgh to victory.</p>
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<h3>Perth Reds Shock Magpies With First-Half Blitz</h3>
<p><strong>Perth Reds 30 def. Hawkes Bay Magpies 7 </strong></p>
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<p>Perth Reds produced one of the biggest responses of Round 2, stunning Hawkes Bay Magpies 30-7 with a dominant first-half blitz. After falling narrowly to Brisbane in Round 1, Perth needed a reaction. They delivered immediately. Jock Campbell scored in the fourth minute, Archie Saunders followed in the ninth, and John Bryant crossed in the 26th. Noah Lolesio converted all three tries and added a penalty goal in the 17th minute, giving the Reds a commanding 24-0 halftime lead. Hawkes Bay were repeatedly denied by strong Perth defence, including multiple attacking sequences and TMO no-try moments. The Magpies’ task became harder when Tim Farrell was yellow-carded in the 42nd minute. Perth added second-half penalty goals through Lolesio in the 61st and 75th minutes to extend the lead to 30-7. James Lentjes finally got Hawkes Bay on the board in the 69th minute, with Cam Millar converting, but the result had already slipped away. The statistics were surprisingly even in some areas. Possession was split 50-50 and Hawkes Bay actually spent more time in opposition territory, 42 minutes to 38. But Perth were far more clinical and far more composed when chances appeared.</p>
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<p><strong>Standout โญ Noah Lolesio - Perth Reds </strong></p>
<p>Lolesio was flawless from the tee, kicking three conversions and three penalty goals for 15 points. His accuracy turned Perth’s early momentum into a match-winning lead. </p>
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<h3>Pioneers Power Past Tokyo</h3>
<p><strong>Peninsula Pioneers 38 def. Tokyo Shoguns 13 </strong></p>
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<p>Peninsula Pioneers continued their excellent start to the season with a commanding 38-13 victory over Tokyo Shoguns. Tokyo started well, despite an early yellow card to Iori Yokoyama, and led 3-0 through Ben Donaldson. But the Pioneers struck back through Adam Stone in the 17th minute before Alex Harford added a penalty to give Peninsula a 10-8 halftime lead. The second half belonged completely to the Pioneers. Harford added another penalty in the 47th minute before Harrison Kirk scored after a TMO review in the 51st. Harford converted, then added a further penalty in the 56th to stretch the lead to 23-8. The match turned decisively around the hour mark. Keita Inagaki was yellow-carded for Tokyo in the 61st minute, and Yoram Moefana immediately crossed for the Pioneers. Quinten Strange was then yellow-carded for Peninsula, but the Pioneers still kept control, with Ethan Burns scoring in the 64th minute. Jacob Umaga scored a late try for Tokyo, but Harford added his fourth penalty in the 76th minute to complete a dominant Pioneers win. Peninsula controlled 63.75% possession, spent 48 minutes in opposition territory, and dominated the lineout count 23-13.</p>
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<p><strong>Standout โญ Alex Harford — Peninsula Pioneers </strong></p>
<p>Harford was outstanding, kicking three conversions and four penalty goals for 18 points while controlling the second half with authority.</p>
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<h3>Team-by-Team Round 2 Read</h3>
<p><strong>Taupล Toa </strong></p>
<p>Taupล showed they can win tight as well as flashy. Their 14-10 win over California was built on possession control, patience and enough composure to protect a narrow lead for forty scoreless second-half minutes.</p>
<p><strong>Peninsula Pioneers </strong></p>
<p>The Pioneers look like one of the most complete sides in Conference One. Their second-half surge against Tokyo showed control, power and ruthless finishing.</p>
<p><strong>Edinburgh Cannon </strong></p>
<p>Edinburgh are finding ways to win big moments. Their defence leaked four tries against Paris, but Nathan Chamberlain’s record-breaking boot kept them alive and then won it late.</p>
<p><strong>Bordeaux Les Damiers </strong></p>
<p>A huge bounce-back result. Bordeaux were sharp, disciplined with scoreboard pressure, and much more clinical than in Round 1. Thomas Dolhagaray’s form is a major positive.</p>
<p><strong>Perth Reds </strong></p>
<p>Excellent response after their narrow Round 1 loss. Perth were ruthless early and controlled the scoreboard from the first quarter. They look much better than their opening defeat suggested.</p>
<p><strong>Buenos Aires Bombers </strong></p>
<p>A gritty win built on defence. The Bombers did not dominate possession, but they showed heart and structure to keep Brisbane tryless.</p>
<p><strong>Californian Grizzlies </strong></p>
<p>A tough loss, but not a bad performance. California defended bravely, made 95 tackles and won the territory battle despite having only 29% possession. They remain competitive.</p>
<p><strong>Hawkes Bay Magpies </strong></p>
<p>A disappointing result after their strong Round 1 win. Hawkes Bay had territory and possession chances but were punished by Perth’s clinical first half.</p>
<p><strong>Brisbane Pirates </strong></p>
<p>A frustrating defeat. Brisbane had the ball, won lineouts and spent more time in opposition territory, but could not turn that into tries. Their attack needs sharper finishing.</p>
<p><strong>Paris Titans </strong></p>
<p>Paris scored four tries and still lost. That will sting. Their attack looked dangerous, but discipline and Chamberlain’s boot punished them repeatedly.</p>
<p><strong>Santiago Condors </strong></p>
<p>Another difficult result, plus another injury. Santiago fought back late, but their first-half deficit was too large. They need a reset quickly.</p>
<p><strong>Tokyo Shoguns </strong></p>
<p>Tokyo were competitive early but faded badly after halftime. Yellow cards and loss of possession hurt them, and the Pioneers punished every slip.</p>
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<h3>Players Standing Out After Round 2</h3>
<p><strong>Nathan Chamberlain — Edinburgh Cannon </strong><em>A record-breaking 29-point kicking performance, including eight penalty goals, one conversion and a drop goal. One of the biggest individual efforts of the season so far. </em></p>
<p><strong>Thomas Dolhagaray — Bordeaux Les Damiers</strong> <em>Twenty-two points from the boot and total control of Bordeaux’s win over Santiago. Dolhagaray was the heartbeat of the performance. </em></p>
<p><strong>Alex Harford — Peninsula Pioneers</strong> <em>Eighteen points and excellent second-half control against Tokyo. Harford gave the Pioneers structure and scoreboard pressure. </em></p>
<p><strong>Noah Lolesio — Perth Reds</strong> <em>Perfect off the tee with 15 points in Perth’s 30-7 win over Hawkes Bay. Lolesio punished every opportunity. </em></p>
<p><strong>Rivez Reihana — Taupล Toa </strong><em>Converted both tries in a 14-10 arm wrestle. In a low-scoring match, his accuracy was decisive. </em></p>
<p><strong>Joaquin de la Vega Mendia — Buenos Aires Bombers</strong> <em>Controlled the scoreboard in Buenos Aires’ 17-3 win and kept the Bombers composed in a defensive contest. </em></p>
<p><strong>Samipeni Finau — Taupล Toa </strong><em>No hat-trick this week, but Taupล’s Round 1 star remains one of the early form forwards in Conference One. </em></p>
<p><strong>Noah Hotham — Peninsula Pioneers </strong><em>The Pioneers continue to look well organised with Hotham driving territory and tempo. </em></p>
<p><strong>Declan Meredith — Brisbane Pirates</strong> <em>Brisbane lost, but Meredith remains important to their scoreboard control. The Pirates now need to give him more try-scoring platforms.</em></p>
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<h3>Early Conference One Picture After Round 2</h3>
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<p>After two rounds, the competition is already splitting into fascinating layers. Taupล Toa and Peninsula Pioneers look strong, organised and capable of winning different types of games. Edinburgh Cannon are unbeaten and have a match-winner in Nathan Chamberlain. Bordeaux and Perth both bounced back impressively after Round 1 losses. Buenos Aires showed they can grind out results. California remain dangerous despite defeat, while Hawkes Bay will want an immediate response after falling heavily in Perth. Brisbane have talent but must become more clinical. Paris are exciting but need discipline. Santiago and Tokyo are under early pressure after difficult starts. Conference One is already alive with momentum swings. Round 2 proved there are no easy weeks.</p>
<p>The race is heating up.</p>
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<p><strong>13th June WFR CONFERENCE ONE RD2 </strong></p>
<p><strong>California Grizzlies vs Taupo Toa LIVE from Infinity Park USA </strong></p>
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