Mehrtens joins French third-division club

[Intercept King JDV]

Former All Blacks flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens has agreed to join French third-division club Beziers on a three year deal.

The club which is based in Southern France released a statement saying that the 37-year-old Mehrtens would join the club staff after his retirement.

Mehrtens contract with Top 14 outfit Racing-Metro was not renewed.

He won 70 Test caps with the All Blacks from 1995-2004 and scored 967 points.

Beziers also have a proud history having won 11 French ***les.

Mehrtens said that it was a "big honour" to join a former rugby powerhouse like Beziers.

Source
So he will stop playing at the age of 40:huh:
Do you guys think that he will be able to play the whole 3 years of his contract?IMO he will only last 1, maybe 2 years...

 

[MichaelBoard]

Suppose its possible, Filo Tiatia retired playing for the Ospreys at the age of 38 and although that was two years short of 40, the way he was playing it looked like he could of carried on for alot longer because you wouldn't of thought he was 38 the way he played. Anyway I'm sure Beziers will use Andrew Mehrtens sparingly in order to preserve his playing career and get him through his 3 year contract. so I think as long as he isn;t expected to play every game then he will probably last the duration of his contract

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Think they expect at least 2 out of him and then he will coach for the final year.

 

[SelimNiai]

He's only 37?!?!

I thought he was a lot older than that. I can see him playing at 40. French 3rd Division is probably not, with greatest of respect, the most physically challenging rugby. As MichaelBoard says, Tiatia played till 38-39 in some seriously tough competitions.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I also see him play 2 years, if he's just a sub that come sin at the end of the game then he can do the 3 years and assuring the club of a full house.
Might try to catch a game when I'm in France.

 

[allblacksfreak]

meh.. I'll play International till I'm 50.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

meh.. I'll play International till I'm 50.

Is that likely ?

 

[Amobokoboko]

I also checked the site of Vitrolles Marseille to see if it was possible to catch a glimps of Lomu but the schedule isn't out yet.
When does the second and third league starts in France?

 

[DonBilly]

ProD2 started yesterday. Fédérale divsions start soon in September.

 

[Prestwick]

I honestly thought he was older than 37 as well!!! He looked ancient when playing for Quins!

 

[Amobokoboko]

ProD2 started yesterday. Fédérale divsions start soon in September.

Thanks mate

 

[Amobokoboko]

I honestly thought he was older than 37 as well!!! He looked ancient when playing for Quins!

Thats due to the NZ sun and English weather