Lovers of boom-boom, tampons, caramels and other sweets from the world of rugby, this article is for you. Because on this Halloween, it is obviously appropriate to present the scariest duel of the weekend.
We are perhaps exaggerating a bit as the Skelton vs Van der Mecht and Papali'i vs Vunipola clashes would also scare the kids, and Manu Tuilagi and Pita Ahki would have other strings to their bow. The fact remains that the powerful, the impactful, the physical, remain their trademark.
XV of France. Emmanuel Meafou, the colossus of Stade Toulousain, never weakens in his quest for progressWe thus remember how aggressive the Tongan international from Stade Toulousain was, when the strong Rohan Janse Van Rensburg (1m85 and 109kg) came to challenge him on his land and at his own game, last month. What about what awaits us on Sunday?
These are, already, neither more nor less than two of the best centers on the planet in their register will oppose each other on behalf of the 9th day of Top 14. On one side, Pita Ahki, regulator of the Toulouse line and probably the best defender on the old continent as a first center. On the other, in an even more frontal register, Manu Tuilagi (1m85 and 112kg), who needs no introduction.
First clash
Clearly, it will “hit” hard in the middle of the field this Sunday evening at Jean-Dauger, as they say. Because if Ahki has a more varied technical palette and profile than Tuilagi, the New Zealander is not the type to be tricky either when the opposition requires it. With a compact size (1m81 for 98kg), the Auckland native is particularly renowned for his large, well-felt “squares” and his ability to take the axis, in addition to his accuracy.
TOP 14. Ahki vs Janse Van Rensburg: thighs of steel and bloody duel to come in the Garonne derby
So, between the indestructible Ahki, whom Ugo Mola described a few seasons ago as “the only essential in his 3/4 line”, and a sharp Manu Tuilagi since his return from injury and who is gaining momentum (80 minutes played last week), it should be worth its weight in peanuts. For the first clash of their career.
TOP 14. Bayonne vs Toulouse, the guarantee of the craziest match of the start of the season?So gentlemen, before these 2 weeks of break, don't skimp on your level of commitment. Even if we never had too many doubts about it…
