Castres turned the tables on Saturday evening against Montpellier during the 9th day. Still trailing after the siren and behind in the score throughout the match, the Tarnais scored the winning try thanks to their captain Babillot. But the last minutes of the game caused debate, notably a lost Montpellier touch offering a final attack ammunition to the locals.
“We have this touch five meters away where we don't defend in the air even though we had just said we were going to jump… I go to defend and there I see Gauthier (Maravat, Editor’s note) who comes out with the ball! I don’t know what’s going on with the action, but that’s good!” Captain Babillot can enjoy it. By scoring the decisive try in the 85th minute against Montpellier after two penalties at five meters played by hand, the Castres third row offered an unexpected victory to his team, which was up to 17 points behind after 28 minutes of play. game.
“A priori, there is no fault because the referee does not whistlecontinues the 2018 Midi Olympic Gold Oscar. Behind, we manage to string together the playing times, to play hard and in the end it smiles on us.” “On this key, explains the main interested party, Gauthier Maravat, the Montpellier man takes the ball with both hands. We are beaten into the air. But their snatcher hits a little low and the ball goes up. I try and it ends up in my hands.” A happy combination of circumstances according to the two Castres. But Montpellier manager Joan Caudullo is not of this opinion. “Unfortunately, there is a touch at the 80th. I learned a rule today, I didn't know that you were allowed to touch the jumper in the air. I have to learn the rules, even at 42.”
Nouchi appears to be hit in the air
Concretely, the MHR coach criticizes the referee Nic Berry for not having sanctioned the attitude of Gauthier Maravat towards Lenni Nouchi. In the images, we see the Montpellier third row rising into the air to capture this final touch synonymous with victory (the siren had sounded). Surprisingly, no Castrese attempts to counter this last ammunition. Returning to the ground, the French international appears to be hit by Castres' right arm while he is still in the air. Caudullo continues: “I'm so frustrated… In the 80th, there was a mistake from Castres which prevented us from winning the match.”
Canal+ screenshot
Canal+ screenshot
The experienced international referee let the game play out. To be completely honest, if the slow motion images seem to clearly show the fault, it is less obvious in the live view. On the other hand, another action occurring a minute earlier could enrage the Hérault supporters. While we are playing the 79th and the Castres are on the attack in the opposing 40 meters, Chabouni is tackled by N'Gandebe and Tisseron. In support, Geoffrey Palis loses his support, but it is the arrival on the side of the ruck of Arthur Vincent which is sanctioned by Berry. A first turning point.
Capture Canal+.
In addition to these controversial situations, the MHR may regret its lack of management in the last ten minutes. And more generally his second period, lost 17 to 3 on the scoreboard. It's up to Joan Caudullo to see the glass half full and to keep in mind that his men once again showed a good face on the outside by dominating the Castres who had been impressive up until then in their den. “I am proud of them, I congratulated them. We are missing a few things that make it easier to win matches. There was a way to do something else at certain times”he admitted at a press conference.
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