After the qualification of the Toulouse team for the Top 14 final against the Rochelais, discover what caught the attention of our rugby specialist present in Bordeaux.
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Ramos caught fire
The back of the XV of France had little taste for the rotation established by Ugo Mola. In the Champions Cup, it is the Scotsman Blair Kinghorn who starts in 15, taking his place on the bench. In accordance with the deal made by his manager, Thomas Ramos started in the semi-final, with Kinghorn moving to the wing. And the competitor set out to demonstrate that he deserved better than a folding seat. From the start, he showed what he was made of, particularly during a thunderous start to the match. A 50-22 found from the 2e minute, several tackles broken during a full iron restart at the 9e. Before taking the ring road and being very close to scoring in overflow (14e). The recital continued with an acrobatic pass above his shoulders and other classy gestures. In the end, he is the player who gained the most meters with the ball in hand (69) and beat the most defenders (5). A gleaming copy embellished with 14 points in his role as scorer (6/8, 75% success).
Dupont superpasseur
A reversal of play and a long dazzling pass to send Kinghorn to flatten the first try. A double laser jump for Mallia for the second. A new decisive pass for the Argentine winger on the third. Antoine Dupont delighted Friday evening at Matmut Stadium with his vision and his vista. In the end, the Toulouse scrum half delivered 62 passes. Almost three times more than his counterpart, the All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow (23).
Read alsoTop 14: Toulouse wins the war of nerves against La Rochelle
The unrivaled strike force of the La Rochelle pack
The Maritimes were legitimately able to believe that salvation would come from their overpowered pack. A first touch in the Toulouse 22 meters and the steamroller sends the hooker Latu into the in-goal (11e). Rebelote just before the break. This time, it is Alldritt who rewards the ferocity, the know-how and the percussion force of the La Rochelle forwards. The ace ! The expulsions of the two pillars, Uini Atonio then Reda Wardi, will undermine this fatal weapon, relieving the opposing forwards.
Claw slashes
Dulin gets through
If Ramos flamed, his opposite number sank. Brice Dulin made multiple blunders in this semi-final. Feverish, like on this failed clearance from the 2e minute, imprecise on foot, uninspired with ball in hands. The La Rochelle full-back was especially unable to stop the Argentinian Juan Cruz Mallia who, twice, appeared in front of him on his wing; For two duels won by the Toulouse player, author of two tries.
A shock spoiled by indiscipline
We thought the suspense would be unbearable until the last minute, with the two teams going blow for blow in the first half. A first period during which Toulouse took advantage of the yellow card sent by Mr. Trainini to the English winger from La Rochelle Jack Nowell: two tries scored in numerical superiority. But his compatriot on the Toulouse side inherited the same sanction in the 37the minute, allowing the Maritimes to regain the lead (15-20 at the break). We would see what we would see. The ace ! Unii Atonio was guilty of contact with the head on Thibaud Flament without mitigating circumstances with a high degree of dangerousness). Red card for the international pillar, his first in the Stade Rochelais jersey which he has worn since… 2011. Then it was the turn of the other Rochelais pillar, Reda Wardi, to fall into the trap of provocation. Headbutt on Julien Marchand, his teammate in the French team! Yellow card for Toulouse and red card for Rochelais. Condemned to finish the meeting at thirteen. Legitimate sanctions which changed the course of a match during which the referee was not idle, whistling 15 penalties against Toulouse and 9 to Rochelais.
Aldegheri’s bloodshed
The prop had cut his scalp during warm-up during contact with a teammate. Staples quickly applied and helmet to protect the wound. A helmet that Dorian Aldegheri got rid of after a minute, explaining to his bench that he couldn’t stand it. Except that his scalp, despite the thick layer of vaseline, reopened, that the repeated bleeding interrupted the start of the match requiring the intervention of the trainers. Until Mr. Trainini, and a very annoyed Ugo Mola with his player, whistled the end of the tantrum in the 10th minute of play. Forcing Aldegheri to go out for treatment. To return to 17e minute with brand new staples, a blindfold and a helmet to finally stop the bloodshed.
