La Rochelle: Antoine Hastoy succeeded in everything, the RCT too harmless…The tops and the flops

TOPS

Perfect evening for Antoine Hastoy

The La Rochelle opener played the best match of his season at the best of times. To put it simply, he missed almost nothing. Because before experiencing his first failure against the poles, he already had 17 points on his scoreboard. A fake pass for a first try, a run at the origin of Rochelaise’s third achievement and perfect mastery of his kicking game. A decisive passer for Leyds on the second try, he almost gave his winger a double. In short, everything worked out for him. Because to return to his failure against the poles, he transformed into an offering for Jegou’s test. Total success for Antoine Hastoy on Saturday evening.

Melvyn Jaminet kept the RCT alive

In a pale Toulouse back line, Melvyn Jaminet held his place. Despite a lead from the first moments of the match, he rallied to gain momentum throughout the first half. Expected in his role as scorer, he responded and it was thanks to him that the RCT was still in the game at half-time (15 points scored). Volunteer with numerous balls touched and his 103 meters covered, however, he did not know how to take his partners with him to find the fault in the Rochelaise defense.

Read alsoTop 14: Relive La Rochelle’s victory in Toulon in the play-off

Oscar Jegou rises in rank

Here is one who knew how to seize his chance. In the absence of Levani Botia at the end of the season, the U20 world champion was promoted to the rank of starter with Stade Rochelais. After his evening performance the choice is once again justified. As in the last 3 matches of the season where he made 3 starts, Jegou weighed on the touchline sector by hampering the Toulonnais. Very present in defense (20 tackles) he also likes to offer himself in the running game and knows how to be useful by bringing the ball to life like on La Rochelle’s third try. Opportunistic, he especially scores the break try for La Rochelle by following Hastoy’s penalty (46′).

FLOPS

The RCT did not know what to do in attack

This Saturday evening, the people of Rochelle took out the barbed wire. But Toulon made too little attempt to get through it. Like its very discreet back line (46 meters covered in total for Tuicuvu, Rabut and Fainga’anuku) the Toulonnais held the ball but never really advanced. Only Gabin Viliere and Melvyn Jaminet at times caused trouble in the Yellow and Black curtain. It was certainly difficult to disrupt the La Rochelle defense this evening but as they were able to do it at the end of the match they could have tried to ignite the match more. The Toulon hinge also failed to make a difference despite several initiatives from Baptiste Serin.

Read alsoTop 14: the Toulon-La Rochelle tests

Dangerous indiscipline for La Rochelle

13 penalties conceded against Stade Rochelais. A result only a little too high compared to these habits of past years. But it’s especially the first 20 minutes of the first half that should make Ronan O’Gara come off his hinges during the video session this week. The Rochelais committed penalty after penalty at the start of the match, leaving control of the match to the RCT. Without consequence in the end because the Maritimes managed to be effective but against Toulouse the sanction could be more severe. Melvyn Jaminet and the RCT chose to take the points each time but Toulouse could take advantage of this to establish their occupation in the La Rochelle camp next week.