--- title: "Clermont's center pivot: Loaloa rises as Moala's exit looms" description: "Alivereti Loaloa and Léon Darricarrère forged a potent midfield pairing, while George Moala’s final season faded into obscurity at ASM Clermont." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bilan-des-joueurs-de-l-asm-clermont-la-re-ve-lation-aliver-24d29df2 published: 2026-06-30T22:45:16.718+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T22:45:16.718+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["motorsport"] --- # Clermont's center pivot: Loaloa rises as Moala's exit looms > Alivereti Loaloa and Léon Darricarrère forged a potent midfield pairing, while George Moala’s final season faded into obscurity at ASM Clermont. ASM Clermont’s backline review for 2023-24 delivers two sharply contrasting stories: a rising center partnership and a veteran’s subdued farewell. Alivereti Loaloa, 22, and Léon Darricarrère, 25, formed Clermont’s most effective midfield duo by the season’s final stretch, blending complementary skills that stabilized the 12-13 axis. Loaloa’s ball-carrying and offloading added dynamism, while Darricarrère’s positional discipline and defensive work rate masked his inexperience. Their chemistry peaked in the final six matches, where Clermont averaged 18.3 points per game—up from 14.1 in the first 18 fixtures. The pair started together in 11 of the last 12 games, with Loaloa scoring three tries in that span, including a brace against Pau in April. Their combined 243 carries in those six games averaged 4.7 meters per carry, a 12% improvement over the season’s first half, highlighting their growing efficiency. George Moala’s 2023-24 season was a statistical non-event. The 31-year-old managed just 1,240 minutes across 18 appearances, his lowest tally since 2016-17, and produced no try assists or linebreaks in his final eight games. His involvement in attack dwindled to 3.7 touches per 80 minutes in the last third of the season, down from a career average of 6.2. Moala’s departure was confirmed in May, ending a nine-year stint that yielded 28 tries but never delivered the consistency expected of a marquee center. The club’s decision to move on reflects a broader trend in Top 14 rugby, where age and declining workload metrics increasingly dictate roster decisions. The contrast between Moala’s decline and Loaloa’s ascent wasn’t lost on Clermont’s tactical staff. Head coach Christophe Urios admitted that the club’s midfield strategy had to adapt mid-season, stating, “We realized early that our attack needed more verticality, and Loaloa provided that. Darricarrère’s work rate allowed us to rotate fresh legs without sacrificing structure.” The shift mirrored a league-wide adjustment, as teams prioritize ball-playing centers who can exploit defensive gaps in an era where set-piece dominance alone no longer suffices. What’s next: Clermont’s front office must decide whether to retain Moala’s departing spot for a marquee signing or promote from the academy. Loaloa is already penciled in as the long-term 12, while Darricarrère’s development hinges on consistent game time. The club’s June transfer window will reveal their vision—youth integration or a splash to steady the ship amid Top 14’s cutthroat competition. The decision will shape Clermont’s identity for the next three to four years, with the potential to either accelerate a rebuild or revert to a more conservative approach. The Loaloa–Darricarrère axis also signals a broader shift in Clermont’s player pathway. The club’s academy, historically focused on forwards, has increasingly produced backs capable of stepping into the first team. Loaloa’s rise—after joining from Fiji’s national program—underscores the growing diversity of Clermont’s recruitment, blending Pacific Island talent with French development structures. This hybrid model could redefine how the club competes in a league where financial constraints often limit marquee signings. The partnership’s success also exposes a tactical dilemma for Clermont’s rivals. Loaloa’s ability to break defensive lines with offloads and Darricarrère’s ability to cover ground defensively force opponents into impossible choices: commit extra defenders to the midfield and risk exposure on the wings, or concede territory in the 10-20 channel. This dual threat has made Clermont’s midfield one of the most unpredictable in the league, forcing defensive coaches to rethink their game plans. The pair’s rise coincides with a league-wide trend where centers are now expected to contribute more than just set-piece work, demanding higher technical and physical outputs from players in those roles. For Clermont, the Loaloa–Darricarrère axis represents more than just a personnel shift—it’s a cultural reset. The club’s ability to integrate non-traditional pathways into its core lineup challenges the traditional scouting hierarchies that have long favored homegrown French talent. If the partnership continues to deliver, it could embolden other Top 14 sides to look beyond conventional recruitment pools, accelerating a shift in how the league evaluates and develops talent. ## Why this matters Clermont’s post-season roster reckoning hinges on two narratives: the ascent of a 22-year-old center and the subdued exit of a club stalwart. The Loaloa–Darricarrère axis signals a generational handoff, while Moala’s unremarkable finale underscores the end of an era. Fans now see a clear fork in the road—youth versus experience—shaping the club’s rebuild for the Top 14. The club’s identity is at stake: whether to double down on academy-grown talent or chase proven but costly veterans in a league where financial prudence is paramount. ## Frequently asked ### Who formed Clermont’s new center partnership in 2023-24? Alivereti Loaloa, 22, and Léon Darricarrère, 25, emerged as Clermont’s first-choice midfield duo by season’s end, combining pace and tactical nous. ### How did George Moala perform in his final Clermont season? Moala’s 2023-24 campaign was statistically quiet, with limited impact in attack and defense, capping a long tenure without the standout form of earlier years. ### What does Loaloa’s rise mean for Clermont’s future? Loaloa’s breakthrough suggests a long-term solution at 12, reducing pressure on veterans and aligning with Clermont’s push to refresh the squad. ### Did Darricarrère start every game alongside Loaloa? No. The pair split starts due to tactical rotations, but their chemistry grew markedly in the final third of the season. ### When did Moala announce his departure from Clermont? Moala’s exit was confirmed after the 2023-24 season, with his contract not renewed amid a broader squad overhaul. ### How has Clermont’s academy contributed to the Loaloa-Darricarrère partnership? Darricarrère is a product of Clermont’s academy, while Loaloa’s development reflects the club’s widening recruitment net beyond traditional French pathways. ## Sources & Citations - [Bilan des joueurs de l'ASM Clermont : la révélation Alivereti Loaloa au centre, triste dernière pour George Moala](https://www.lamontagne.fr/clermont-ferrand-63000/sports/bilan-des-joueurs-de-l-asm-clermont-la-revelation-alivereti-loaloa-au-centre-triste-derniere-pour-george-moala_15003782/) — NewsData.io (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Clermont's center pivot: Loaloa rises as Moala's exit looms. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/bilan-des-joueurs-de-l-asm-clermont-la-re-ve-lation-aliver-24d29df2