Tops
Five years that Montpellier was waiting to inaugurate a season with a success. After four defeats and a draw, the Cistes have finally warded off the fate for the first of Richard Cockerill on his bench. If everything was not perfect, far from it, the Héraultais were realistic on their rare highlights with the tries of Thomas Darmon (37th) and Vano Karkadze (42nd) while resisting the majority of La Rochelle sequences in their 22 meters, to overcome the Maritimes (26-15). And definitely turn the page on their previous ups and downs.
He was one of the major players in the Hérault success. In addition to his faultless against the poles (5/5, 13 points), the MHR opener also distinguished himself by his precious occupation kicking game and some well-felt interval catches, as evidenced by the one which leads to the test of Vano Karkadze (42nd). A full match for the one who seeks to permanently settle in the position of number 10 in Montpellier, in the absence of Paolo Garbisi, called up with Italy for the World Cup.
Entering the break in place of Tolu Latu, Georgian hooker Vano Karkadze offered his first try in the Top 14 as soon as he returned from the locker room (42nd) by concluding in force a lot of work from the forwards at the foot of the La Rochelle posts. Montpellier then regained the lead and would not let go until the final whistle.
Flops
At the end of the first act, Montpellier and Stade Rochelais found themselves outnumbered for two avoidable fouls two minutes apart. Author of a clearing in the shoulder on Tolu Latu in the heart of a strong time in La Rochelle in the 22 meters Montpellier, Rémi Picquette received a yellow card (29th) before the experienced all-black winger George Bridge did not imitates him by committing a voluntary forward on a La Rochelle counter (31st). After the break, the Canadian second-line Tyler Duguid is in turn sanctioned for an illicit scratching which came to annihilate a highlight of the Maritimes in front of his line (55th). Approximations to the start of the season which were legion on the lawns of the Top 14 during this first day.
Ronan O’Gara’s men can harbor regrets about their trip to GGL Stadium. Largely dominating territorially and in possession during the first period, the double European champions were not sufficiently sharp in the scoring areas and returned to the locker room with a parity score (10-10). The trend hardly changed afterwards and despite long streaks around the Hérault in-goal just before the hour mark, they were unable to kill the match when they seemed to have the chance. opportunity.
Penalized six times in closed melee, the Hérault pack was widely heckled on its land. In the absence of several executives called up with the Blues (Paul Willemse, Florian Verhaeghe, Bastien Chalureau), the Montpellier forwards seemed out of order in this sector and could well experience great suffering during the next two days, before the Top 14 takes a break during the World Cup.