TOPS
The rear of Racing was the major architect of the controlled start to the match for his team. At the rendezvous on the two tries of the Racingmen in the first period, he played perfectly both counters one to serve Donovan Taofifenua on the first try that will conclude Juan Imhoff (10th). Before repeating this on the second where he almost finished the job on his own. Unfortunately for him he was stopped at the gates of in-goal, but Wenceslas Lauret went a few seconds later behind the line. A real danger, his occupation kicking game was also very effective, as was his defense. Full match and very positive copy for the former Bayonnais.
Outnumbered after Kremer’s red card from the 5th minute (see elsewhere), the Parisians seriously bent but without breaking. Despite trailing by 14 points (17-3) shortly before the half-hour mark, the Soldats Roses, led by their pack of forwards, completely tipped the game to their advantage. Little by little, they took the upper hand over a Racing team which relaxed. In particular in scrum and touch their two major strengths, they who have the best scrum and the best alignment of the Top 14. Racing did not hold in closed scrum, suffering a lot and causing numerous faults which cost two yellow cards ( Camille Chat 38th) and Eddie Ben Arous (43rd). Enough to force Mr. Brousset to go under the posts for an inevitable penalty try after total domination (45th).
Not flamboyant in the game, but devilishly effective in his kicks. The Scottish opener in spite of himself caused the exclusion of Marcos Kremer at the very start of the match but he distinguished himself by his 100% against the posts. In the second half, he notably allowed his team by his address to take off in the score. An advantage which proved to be definitive and crucial in the race for victory to seek a Top 14 semi-final against Toulouse, which is moreover by an away victory, on the lawn of the enemy.
FLOPS
The Argentinian 3rd line of the French stadium made the task very complicated for his team, more than it already was. We knew that the battle would be fierce and he left this battle after 5 short minutes, because of an uncontrolled clearing and too much pressure on Finn Russell, directly at the head. A gross fault which penalized and weakened his team, in great difficulty in the minutes which followed his exit. In the second half the accumulated fatigue and the heat got the better of his partners for whom the task had become too complicated.
Racing is in the semis, Racing won, but Racing was hot, very hot. And not only because of the heat on Jean-Bouin, but rather because of his indiscipline which completely put the Stade Français in the game. The entire first line and especially the right side were overwhelmed by the melee power, especially of the Parisians. During the last 8 minutes of the first half Mr. Brousset did nothing but repeat the instructions ‘bending, binding, play’. A countless number of scrums played which almost all ended the same way, to the advantage of the locals.
Race results two yellow cards for Camille Chat (38th) and Eddie Ben Arous (43rd) while Mr. Brousset kept warning captain Gaël Fickou of the faults. Seeing the recipe work, the Roses did not stop asking for the scrum which finally ended in a logical penalty try granted by Mr. Brousset before sending everyone back to rest.
