Top 14 (Play-off): La Rochelle tames Toulon at Mayol (29-34) and joins Toulouse in the semi-final

La Rochelle muzzles Toulon and goes to the semi-final. This Saturday, Stade Rochelais won against Rugby Club Toulonnais (29-34) during the first Top 14 play-off. At home and in an incandescent atmosphere, the Toulonnais started better, exclusively thanks to the foot of Melvyn Jaminet to punish La Rochelle indiscipline. But Pierre Mignoni’s players came up against a formidable Maritime defense which frustrated them for a long time. Antoine Hastoy led the attack for the Jaune et Noir, who offered a repeat of the last Top 14 final against Stade Toulousain, this time in the semi-final.

Still in search of their first Top 14 title, the Rochelais nevertheless arrived at this dam after an endless journey, as evidenced by their season filled with injuries and adventures. But this squad knew how to wake up at the best of times and show that it was full of experience. However, the match was initially marked by the great indiscipline of Ronan O’Gara’s players. Five penalties were offered to Toulonnais during the first 17 minutes, and the imperial Melvyn Jaminet was responsible for systematically converting them. The Varois clearly came back with the best intentions, with a lot of speed and percussion in their game. But these high-quality chances gradually disappeared afterwards, annihilated by the best defense in the Top 14.

The Rochelais were also able to count on a touch of realism and efficiency offensively. First of all, Antoine Hastoy took advantage of Toulon’s inattention following a scrum to score the first try of the match, clearly against the flow of play (9th). Hastoy, again, offered Dillyn Leyds the second La Rochelle try, on a clever ball played quickly into touch by Jack Nowell (30th). The third try for the Yellow and Black was awarded under the whistles of the Toulon supporters, since Baptiste Serin seemed to remove the ball flattened by Jules Favre from the ground (39th). Finally, it was on the only failure at the foot of Antoine Hastoy, who hit the post, that Oscar Jégou scored a fourth try full of enthusiasm and audacity (47th).

Subsequently, the Rochelais were content to keep their result, to endure but still without conceding. As they continued to play their impeccable game defensively, Will Skelton was guilty of a dangerous tackle on Selevasio Tolofua. The yellow card awarded by Mr. Ramos slightly revived the suspense, before Judicaël Cancoriet was in turn sanctioned for an illegal intervention in the position of last defender, offering a penalty try to Toulon (71st). Jack Singleton also went queen, but it was much too late (80th).

The Rochelais will have to take care to correct these few errors in view of the semi-final against the Toulouse ogre, in a match which will clearly have the smell of revenge. Because the reigning French champions will certainly not give them as many gifts as the RCT.