Australians Matt Giteau and Brock James face off in Heineken Cup final

TWO of the highest paid Australian players in world rugby will duel as rivals in the Heineken Cup final tomorrow morning.

167712831

TWO of the highest paid Australian players in world rugby will duel as rival playmakers in the Heineken Cup final early tomorrow morning, and thereÂ’s a fair chance youÂ’ve only heard of one of them.

The clash to determine Europe’s premier club will be held in Dublin between two French heavyweights, Toulon and Clermont-Auvergne.

Wearing the Toulon no.12 will be former Wallaby star Matt Giteau, who’ll share the directorial duties with another of the club’s galaxy of stars, Jonny Wilkinson.

Lining up against them for Clermont will be Sydney-raised five-eighth Brock James, who despite pulling down over half-a-million dollars a year and being a big star in France, remains a little-known name in Australia outside rugby fanatics.

“Brock has done more for Clermont than Matt has done for Toulon, no doubt,” says the third “Aussie” in the final, Clermont and former Scotland Test lock Nathan Hines.

It will be a fascinating duel but the twist in the story is the role Giteau played in James’ decision to move his promising career offshore seven years ago.

James, 31, was born in Victoria but was schooled at Sydney’s Scots College and trod the familiar path of Aussie schoolboys and Australian Under 21s.

Professional level success was harder graft, however, and after stints with Taranaki and Queensland in 2003-04, James played with the Western Force in their inaugural 2006 season.

He played ten games but with the arrival of Giteau in Perth in 2007, coach John Mitchell all but packed James’ bags for him, saying he’d be well down the no.10 pecking order.

A move to France changed it all. Finding a perfect fit for his European-style strengths - a strong tactical and goal-kicking game - James has become a celebrated star for Clermont.

With almost 2000 Top 14 points under his belt since then, James led Clermont to the national title last season and at one point was named one of Europe’s 50 most influential players.

“He came here and only signed one year, had an awesome season and they’ve held on tight ever since,” Hines says.

“He’s a bit of an angry bugger. A lot of tens are, they run the ship and keep everyone else on point. That’s helped drive Clermont to be more precise. He puts everyone in the right part of the pitch and consistently makes good decisions.”

The Waratahs had a crack at bringing James back to Sydney a few seasons ago but had to withdraw because, in the end, they couldn’t afford him.

Hines believes James had all it took to play higher honours.

“I guess it’s one thing having the ability, it’s another getting the opportunity. Plenty of guys have had the ability to play Test footy but someone just a bit better has been playing in front of them,” he said.

“But given the opportunity, Brock would have been able to do a job for sure.”

Hines is another “Aussie” looking to add another achievement to his distinguished resume with victory for Clermont over glamour team Toulon.

The Wagga-born lock has also forged a remarkable career away from Australia after first coming down from the Central Coast in 1997 to play rugby league for the North Sydney Bears.

Steered towards rugby due to his 2.01m height, Hines later turned a backpacking holiday to the UK into an 11-year career playing rugby for Scotland Tests (77 Tests) and even selection on the British and Irish Lions tour in 2009.

Almost 37 – and having recently signed to go around again next season – Hines is vying with Mark O’Meley as the last of the old North Sydney Bears still playing top-flight footy.

“I don’t know if I can outlast him. He’s a couple of years younger than me isn’t he? I will have to just keep going and going,” Hines laughed.

“Yeah, look, it’s great to be at my stage of career and still be playing for big trophies in big games.

“As you get older, you get more motivation you get to win big games. I was lucky enough to win a Heineken Cup with Leinster in 2011 but am very keen to make it two with Clermont.”

The scene is set for an epic tussle.

Toulon are the Real Madrid of world rugby, with most of the team – and even the bench – stocked with Test rugby superstars.

Along with Giteau and Wilkinson, the club also has Bakkies Botha, Andrew Sheridan, Gethin Jenkins, Carl Hayman, Frederic Michalak, Maxime Mermoz, Sebstian Bruno, Danie Russouw, Joe Van Niekirk, Rocky Elsom and Matthieu Bastareuad on their books.

Drew Mitchell and Bryan Habana will join next season.

Understandably, perhaps, opinions on big-spending Toulon are varied.

Asked how the foreigner-filled outfit are embraced in the French rugby world, Hines replied: “French rugby fans in general would find them easier to embrace if their president (Mourad Boudjellal) isn’t as vocal as he is.”

“In the rugby news over here, he’s come out and said: “Oh we’re happy to be here. We would be stupid to say we’re as good as them. It would be a miracle if we win. We’re preparing to come second”, and all this stuff,” Hines continued.

“It makes it hard for the rugby public to find Toulon endearing.

“Toulon people love them, but not many other clubs are big fans.

“Put it this way. It’s like England, everyone likes beating Toulon.”