Tops
The stunning La Rochelle hinge
What a performance, especially in the second half, from the La Rochelle pair. Maritime scrum half, Nolann Le Garrec, once again delivered a great performance with no less than 22 points scored on Sunday evening, during his team's last-minute victory against Stade Toulousain (30-27). Since his arrival last season at the Caravelle club, the latter continues to impress and grow in stature. Author of the hopeful try for his team shortly before the hour mark, the former Racing player, who was almost injured in a tackle by Antoine Dupont – barely visible in this part – also bothered the units at the foot. He now has eight tries scored... in his last nine matches with the Yellow and Black. Just that. Louis Bielle-Biarrey just had to watch out... For his part, opener Antoine Hastoy, more discreet in this match, came out of his box at the best of times. The number 10 went to queen at the dawn of the last quarter of an hour in order to put his team on par with the French champion before offering victory to his partners, at the last second, with a final penalty against the poles. The La Rochelle hinge won his evening duel against his Toulouse counterpart. And it had to be done.
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The Furia Menoncello
Welcome to France, Tommaso! For his first match in the Top 14 under the red and black colors, the Italian off-season recruit on the Toulouse side only took a quarter of an hour to come and tear the La Rochelle rearguard to pieces and go for the test (17th). A breathtaking action, highlighting all the percussion qualities, the power and the formidable velocity of the best player of the 2024 Six Nations Tournament. Despite a clumsiness offering a penalty to the Maritimes, the transalpine player then caught himself perfectly in order to water the pitch with his immense talent. Even though he was less visible in the second half as a result of his team's apathy, Menoncello still stood out with some incisive, high-intensity runs. The French championship is ready. Us too. But not the opposing teams.
Also read The stunning maritime hinge, the Menoncello furia, a lifeless second period for the French champion... The tops and flops of the clash between La Rochelle and Toulouse
Ntamack in his momentum
The Toulouse opener, who came back strongly at the end of last season, confirms the same dynamic for this recovery. First match of the season and first try for number 10 at the half-hour mark, who was fair and efficient throughout the match. Seeing Romain Ntamack at this level is always a pleasure. We hope that the Haut-Garonne playing master will avoid physical problems this year.
The dazzling reaction of the Maritimes...
Trailing by 14 points at the break, Ronan O'Gara's players returned to the pitch transformed for the second act. Indeed, the Yellow and Black inflicted a scathing 20-3 on the French champions, asphyxiating the latter with a frenetic pace. Their coach, who corrected himself after half an hour of play by making a triple change, reacted perfectly when his team was in a delicate position. Last 40 minutes of high-flying action for the players at Caravelle, who will have to rely on this convincing performance in the weeks to come, in order not to fall back into their chronic inconsistency.
Also read La Rochelle-Toulouse: in video, the first (superb) try scored by Toulouse recruit Tommaso Menoncello
Flops
... Toulouse's lifeless second half
Incomprehensible. So firmly in control of the match, the Stadistes seemed to liquefy in the second act, accumulating faults and technical errors. Result: the quadruple French champions miss their return to school and have already suffered a first setback this season. Even if the latter will leave Charente-Maritime with the defensive bonus point, they let slip away a victory which held out their arms to them. Not to mention the changes made by Ugo Mola, which will have had no impact, notably with the replacement of all his forwards in the second half. A blunder which recalls the air gaps and the inconsistencies of Toulouse from last season. The Haut-Garonnais coach was already pointing out at the Canal+ microphone the complacency of his players after the restart... he was served.
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Ramos, how cruel it is
The Toulouse fullback, who has 11 points in this game, missed the penalty that absolutely had to be secured (74th), in the very last minutes. In the corner on the left, the top scorer in the history of the French XV did not adjust the sights to protect his team. Verdict: it was Antoine Hastoy who was responsible for passing it, on the gong, to offer victory to his family. Thomas Ramos oscillated between good and not so good on Sunday evening. Hoping that his future transfer to Racing next season does not disrupt him for his last season under the Haut-Garonne colors...
Also read Top 14: “A challenge that motivates me…”, Thomas Ramos should change position at Racing 92
Latu almost ruined everything
While his team was in full swing in the last quarter of an hour, Australian hooker from La Rochelle Tolu Latu found nothing better to do than get sent off. The reason? A violent and dangerous charge to the shoulder right in the face of Matthis Lebel... Clever. Fortunately, at no cost to his teammates. But if the Rochelais are aiming for the last four of the championship this season, it will absolutely be necessary to avoid their gross blunders which could cost them points between now and the final count.
Alldritt full of clumsiness
