The England international, David Ribbans, produced a high-flying score punctuated by a standing ovation. “Ribeye” is becoming part of the holy trinity of 2nd lines adored on the harbor.
Suddenly, the curtain fell. There was just over 40 seconds left on the clock when Pierre Mignoni decided to name the man of the match: David Ribbans. After having scrapped in all the rucks in the four corners of the field, tackled with efficiency (6/6), mistreated the Pau touchline (3 blocks), and delivered a decisive pass and a penultimate pass, the second line had the right at rest. The big guy had before that a sincere handshake from his coach, who asked, beforehand, the Mayol public to accentuate their standing ovation. In fact, he almost didn't need it. Mayol knows how to recognize a warrior. Mayol knows how to recognize a brave man among those who have worn the jersey struck by lily of the valley.
After the match, Petitjean was almost speechless at the performance of the man who shares the captaincy with Ollivon. “He's a guy who's doing an exceptional job for the team. He's put together the last three games with monstrous performances. He brings confidence to the group. He's an Anglo-Saxon, who has a slightly different vision of what we can have in France He brings great demands to training and in everyday life. It's all beneficial to have him with us. When he shows this face, he is not far from being among the best. second lines of the championship.”
Halagahu: “He impresses me because he is never tired”
The country's air, known during Toulon's success at the Stormers (14-24) in the Champions Cup, has enhanced the native of Somerset West (South Africa). “He is returning to the same level as when he returned from the World Cup, confirms Sinzelle. He had a less good shot at the start of that one. This is normal after having done so much. Now he is returning to great performances. It shows that it’s a great second line… It’s a plane tree! He shows the way to all the guys, especially to all the second rows. It’s vital to have him at this level.”
Matthias Halagahu, who shared the cage with the person concerned, also expressed his admiration. “He impresses me, because he is never tired (laughs). However, he has had a great week in training. He's not a guy who's only there on weekends. He's a real boss, a reassuring guy, a leader through action. This is an example that I must follow if I want to one day get close to his level. In Toulon, I was lucky enough to only work with big second lines. He's one of them.” From memory, the last second line to have received such a standing ovation from Mayol was called Eben Etzebeth. The other, older and more customary in fact, was called Bakkies Botha. That's good , “Dave” was sleeping with a few posters of “The Executioner” above his head. For sure, it's him now who invites himself into the room of the kids in the harbor.
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