Wallaby Rodda challenges Provence to 'switch focus' for Top 14 promotion final

Provence's Australia lock Izack Rodda has challenged his side to "get up again" for Sunday's French Top 14 promotion play-off final with Perpignan after losing last weekend's second-tier decider.

Rodda's side suffered a heart-wrenching 18-14 defeat by Vannes last Saturday but host Perpignan with a second chance at promotion to rugby's most lucrative league.

Reaching the Top 14 for the first time could be worth up to €10 million ($11.5 million) for Provence.

"We've got to try and switch focus and get up again for this week because it's another big opportunity," the 29-year-old Rodda told AFP on Thursday.

"It's essentially a grand final, again.

"I think there's a lot of pressure on it and a lot riding on it."

New South Wales native Rodda moved to the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast to Aix-en-Provence's state-of-the-art training ground and Stade Mauric-David home two years ago.

He spent three years in Queensland having come through the Reds academy before a first experience of France with Lyon in 2021 and then two seasons with the Western Force.

"Aix is such a beautiful location, it was kind of like a no brainer opportunity for me," Rodda said.

"The club had great foundations, they've got great facilities.

"The president's done a phenomenal job in setting up.

"They have a drive to go to the Top 14 which is something I wanted to do, be part of the club's history."

'DOOR OPEN' TO WALLABIES

Rodda won the last of his 34 test caps in 2021 but still holds out hope for more international recognition, ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

"The door's always open," Rodda said.

"I'd go back in a heartbeat, especially with the home World Cup coming up."

Provence's season has been overshadowed by the early retirement of Rodda's compatriot Ned Hanigan after just six games for the club due to concussion aged just 31.

"It was so sad for him," Rodda said.

"I've known Ned for a long time now.

"It's just one of those things you can't muck around with, concussion."

Another big name in Provence's squad is ex-Wales centre George North, who will hang up his boots at the end of the season.

"He's had a spectacular career," Rodda said.

"He's been great for us around bringing in some experience and leadership around the team and helping some young guys."

This weekend, Rodda and Provence's hopes of a maiden promotion to the Top 14 will be hampered by another of his compatriots.

Centre Jordan Petaia will be part of a Perpignan backline aiming to help them avoid the drop for the first time since 2021.

Rodda and Petaia spent two years together at the Reds before the forward's move to Lyon.

"I know 'Jordy' quite well," Rodda said.

"He's someone you don't really want to give a lot of space to.

"You want to take the time off him."