Attractive then handled by Rochelais, who took advantage of the contribution of their bench to make a comeback, the Toulouse residents were strong to make the difference in the last 20 minutes.
Promises kept. It started in a eerie silence after tribute to Medhi Narjissi, The clash between the two best-looking teams in the Top 14 kept the crowd in suspense in a disciplined Vannes-style romp before nature took over again due to the stakes and narrowness of the score. Toulouse needed a good kick in the ass to finally combine intentions with concrete results.
Because after blithely dominating the first quarter in both possession and possession, they were surprised by ultra-realistic Maritimes managing to score a try on their only foray into the Haut-Garonnais camp. An arm pass from Seuteni to Thomas after taking the inside of Brennan who had the credit, not of waking the “red and black” very alert, but whose lack of focus on simple gestures earned him to leave his rivals in the game.
The rush before the realization
Keen to establish a frenetic pace, the teammates of a ball-magnetized Marchand in the rucks (2 first-period scrapes) initially confused speed and precipitation. Passes in touch (Cros, 4; Graou, 8), a little too generous support at clearance (8) or late (12), forwards or in defense (Kinghorn, 10; Marchand, 15) did not allow the stadiums to achieve their dominance.
Stung by Rochelais, they were quick to react, setting the record in less than ten minutes. A strong effort from Akhi under the posts after a penalty (23) and another from Flament (26) following a big Brennan stamp and Graou's overhead kick saved by Lebel on Nowell's head after a rebound .
Skelton's yellow card was fatal for Rochelais
However, while Barassi made the mat immediately after the siren (22-10, 42), everything quickly derailed on the Toulouse side, with a failed start to the second act, the massive training of the La Rochelle staff carried out during rest does not. unrelated to the pressure suffered by Stadisti.
Penalted four times in 12 minutes, the “red and black” saw their hosts come back two lengths (22-20) before a first positive signal was sent by Willis, his scratch on the ground allowing Ramos, at 50 m, to give some air. to his people (25-20, 55).
A short-lived burst from Thomas, on another inside return from Seuteni, ahead of Ntamack this time, put Rochelais ahead for the first time of the evening despite Ahki's spoon (27-25, 56) .
Fortunately, and unlike last week, the entry of the Toulouse bank this time gave a real boost. While a slight lack of depth prevented Ramos from playing a surplus in front of the rising Leyds (61), we had to wait for Skelton's yellow card for repeated fouls in front of the line to see Stade reclaim the score through Ramos at foot. (28-27, 63) then his distances thanks to a strong test from Meafou (35-27, 68). While the difference of one point was enough for the “red and black” staff, his players did not leave any for Rochelais.
Mission accomplished. Attractive then handled by Rochelais, who took advantage of the contribution of their bench to make a comeback, the Toulouse residents were strong to make the difference in the final 20 minutes.