Top 14: Apisai Naqalevu, Aimé-Giral, Posolo Tuilagi’s injury… L’Indépendant’s favorites and favorites after USAP-Clermont

We liked

Abishai Naqalevu

Deprived of Alivereti Duguivalu for several weeks, the staff had to choose a new number 13 to accompany captain Jerónimo de la Fuente in the center. And this choice logically fell on Apisai Naqalevu. The 35-year-old Fijian made a good debut at Castres last weekend, and his tenure was a logical continuation. Especially since, for the moment in this position, Eneriko Buliruarua is struggling to show his worth.
Naqalevu, therefore, for his first start of the season, played a solid game against Clermont. First, it should be noted that he was the Catalan player who made the most races (16). But above all he extinguished George Moala, in not even twenty minutes. First by defending hard on him (14^e), then on his essay (19^e), where he literally blew up the Tongan center who was left with a concussion. On each ball in his possession, he put the Clermont defense in danger. A successful performance for a player who, ultimately, rarely disappoints. The only problem with his performance is his defensive stats with 4 missed tackles, out of 11 attempted.

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Top 14: counter-rucks, foot pressure… How USAP disgusted Clermont

The reunion with Aimé-Giral

Aimé-Giral had missed. Everyone felt it during the “reception” from Montpellier to Béziers. And the fact of returning to the cathedral on Saturday has indeed (re)confirmed that this stadium remains special, and allows the players to transcend themselves more than ever. “All the guys who are elsewhere are a little shocked by this Catalan fury. It brings something extraassure Lucas Velarte. We have to continue to make them want to come, to have the stadium full for every match. For us, this is an additional asset. You don’t realize it until you’re on the ground.” And the blood and gold were pushed by their supporters throughout the match, despite a slightly timid atmosphere when the players arrived, a little over an hour before kick-off. From now on, the Catalan furia is ready to make all the teams who set foot in Aimé-Giral pay a high price.

Also read:
Top 14 – USAP wins its first improved success of the season against Clermont: the Catalans feel at home

The fronts

A work of art from the front. Despite the absences of important players like Ignacio Ruiz, Bruce Devaux, Giorgi Tetrashvili, Mathieu Tanguy, Joaquín Oviedo and Patrick Sobela, the Catalan pack was monstrous against ASM. In the first half, Giorgi Beria and Kieran Brookes put Michael Alaalatoa and Sacha Lotrian through a scrum. But it is above all on the reduction in general that the pack of forwards was impressive. Lucas Velarte was poison in all combat zones, Marvin Orie was valuable in all shadow zones, just like Adrien Warion, while Beria and Brookes also distinguished themselves in the running game. Without forgetting Lucas Bachelier, who did not give his share to the dogs. Conquerors.

Also read:
Top 14 – USAP: victim of a fractured tibia and fibula, Posolo Tuilagi was successfully operated on in Perpignan on Saturday evening

We didn’t like

Posolo Tuilagi’s injury

Despite this large success (33-3), the general state of mind was rather dull after the meeting. Obviously, everyone was happy with this victory. But losing Posolo Tuilagi like that left a bitter taste. The colossus was taken out on a stretcher after 17 minutes of play, suffering from a fractured tibia and fibula. Images that froze the Aimé-Giral stadium. Today, Tuilagi is doing well and had surgery on Saturday evening in Perpignan. His return is estimated between 5 and 6 months. Note, also, that USAP lost its third row Jacobus van Tonder (knee) for several weeks, while fly-half Jake McIntyre suffered from his right shoulder. A bad note in such a radiant day.