La Rochelle, which we knew was more inspired, suffered on Sunday to get rid of a valiant Toulon team (27-17) deprived of the defensive bonus in the last minute of this clash of contenders at the end of the 22nd day of the Top 14.
How complicated it was for the Maritimes, jostled at first then able to take the lead at the half-hour mark without however managing to defeat an opponent who played his card to the fullest.
In the standings, Ronan O’Gara’s men regain 5th place from their victims of the evening, too penalized – 3 yellow cards conceded – to hope for better but who remain in the Top 6 with two small points ahead of Perpignan (7th) , the surprise of this undecided spring.
The RCT, which came to the Atlantic coast largely reworked compared to the winning XV of Toulouse the previous weekend at the Vélodrome (20-19), evolved without complexes, sending shivers through the aisles of the Marcel-Deflandre stadium.
And there were many of them at the start, materialized by a try from Mathieu Smaïli at the conclusion of a turnover with a pass at the foot of Ben White to Setariki Tuicuvu who served him acrobatically (7-0 after transformation in the 3rd minute ).
Despite their displayed power, the Maritimes were thwarted in their initiatives in the running game. They therefore went through set phases to mark the young Var guard, who gave way in the middle of his posts in front of the almost and a half quintal of Uini Atonio after a series of shellings (10-10, 20th).
The indiscipline of the Varois also facilitated La Rochelle’s plans, dominating at the end of the first act with their scrum. After the departure of captain Grégory Alldritt, it was the local darling, Levani Botia, who rewarded his team in force, properly celebrating his 200th in the Caravel jersey (20-10, 40 3).
Entering the break after Teddy Iribaren’s injury, Lucas Zamora, 4th scrum half in the La Rochelle hierarchy, was the unfortunate actor returning from the locker room by being intercepted by Juita Wainiqolo for a new close to the score (20-17 , 52nd).
This shock, lively and rhythmic, got carried away after a full-field charge from Will Skelton invigorating the Rochelais once again determined and dominant near the Var line for around ten minutes without managing to break through the opposing barrier despite several penalties awarded but no tempted by choice.
Botia thought he would free his team with a double but his try was refused for a charge beforehand with an elbow too high from Jonathan Danty (69th).
Pierre Mignoni’s men, who brought in his squad around the hour mark, maintained indecision until the end, with a strong moment close to the local zone of truth, but in vain.
The money-time ended up smiling on the Yellow and Black after a series of charges, the last of which by Oscar Jégou was validated on video for a major success four days before the end of the regular season.
Dots:
La Rochelle: 3 tries Atonio (20) Botia (40 3), Jéglou (80), 3 Reus transformations (20, 40 3), Hastoy (80), 2 Reus penalties (12, 29)
Toulon: 2 Smaïli tries (3), Wainiqolo (51), 2 transformations P. Garbisi (3, 51), 1 penalty P. Garbisi (16)
Temporary exclusions:
Toulon: Gros (40, repeated fouls), Tuicuvu (60, dangerous tackle), Coulon (79, repeated fouls)
Temporary replacements:
La Rochelle: Nowell by T. Thomas (28 to 40)
Toulon: Youyoutte by Devaux (40 to 47)
The teams:
La Rochelle: Leyds – Nowell, Seuteni, Danty, Favre (T. Thomas, 65) – (o) Reus (Hastoy, 52), (m) Iribaren (Zamora, 41) – Botia, Alldritt (cap.), Pa. Boudehent (40) Skelton, Dillane (Cancoriet, 12), Atonio (Sclavi, 57), Latu (57), Penverne (Kaddouri)
Toulon: Domon – Wine, Rabut, Smiley (Sinzelle, 7), Tuicuvu – (o) P. Garbisi, (m) White (Serin, 57) – Youyoutte (Coulon, 64), Coulon (Ollivon, 47), Le Corvec S. Tolofua (47) – S. Rebbadj (Ribbans, 47), Halagahu (cap.) (S. Rebbadj, 52) – Setiano (Gigashvili, 41), Singleton (Damond, 67), Gros (62)