In their venue at La Paris La Défense Arena, Racing 92 managed to defeat the South African Stormers (31-22). This is the first success in all competitions for Ile-de-France residents after five matches without raising their arms. Thanks to this second victory in their Champions Cup campaign, Nolann Le Garrec's teammates are provisionally qualified for the final phase of the competition.
Always very playful, the Stormers got their hands on the start of the match, settling into the opposing 22. But unable to cross the goal line, their domination only gave three points (0-3, 7th). Racing took the lead after a breakthrough from Le Garrec in the 22m. He sent his forwards to the coal, then on a reversal of play from Lancaster, the ball went to the wing for Habosi's try (7-3, 14th). Better into the match and more confident, the Ile-de-France residents made a good recovery from a blocked kick. On the right wing this time, Spring was served along the line and followed to score in his turn (12-3, 18th).
Dominated in the scrum (4 penalties conceded), the Racingmen were joined on a throw-in, concluded by Venter, who entered a few seconds earlier (12-10, 24th). A touch, that's where the third try came from, obtained on a very good kick from Farrell. Played quickly, the ball went to the other side in three passes, for a conclusion from Habosi (19-10, 38th). Baudonne dominated the sector (3 stolen touches) and intercepted a throw 5m away, signifying half-time, after a penalty where Diallo received a yellow card (40th).
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Under pressure, but improved victory
Ten minutes passed at 14, but which gave no points to either side. It was even the Ile-de-France residents who were close to scoring but Lancaster made the wrong choice (47th) and Palu missed the goal by a few centimeters (51st). The bonus attempt came in a very good way, on a 22m restart. Habosi broke two tackles to enter the opposing camp, then had the support of Le Garrec. The ball went out to Gibert, whose foot pass found Spring, for the double (24-10, 56th). The two wingers as well as Baudonne and Le Garrec, the four men of the match, all involved in this important try in the competition.
Perhaps this caused a relaxation, because Racing suffered two tries in quick succession. By Jantjies, after a breakthrough in the interval from Matthee (24-17, 60th), then by Theunissen, served by his scrum half after a clearance at the Ile-de-France foot (24-22, 66th). Maathee missed the conversion, leaving the advantage to the 92nd club. The same opener missed a long distance penalty (70th). Feeling that the match could slip away, my Racingmen gave everything to score one last try and validate the victory. On a penalty played manually, Palu managed to cross the line (31-22, 78th). A valuable victory for the club's European season, which puts an end to a series of five matches without success, and revives momentum for the Top 14.
