TOPS
By winning against Stade Français, RC Toulon continues its impressive series of invincibility at home in the championship. If Pierre Mignoni’s men do not always travel well, they are, however, intractable on their land. After Bayonne, Oyonnax, Racing 92 and Castres Olympique, the Var have added another success to their tally, the fifth in a row. To find traces of a home defeat in the Top 14, you have to go back to November 6, 2022 during a match against Montpellier (16-26). Enough to allow them to temporarily climb back to fifth place, and to reconnect with their public after tumultuous seasons.
In a match without much spectacle, the locals had to rely on their defense to win. With 127 tackles made, the RCT produced a great defensive performance and very rarely gave the Parisian backs the opportunity to express themselves. A symbol of this resilience, Charles Ollivon led his troops into war as a courageous captain. The third French line signed sixteen tackles. Cornell Du Preez was also not idle and signed the match record (17). Finally, Esteban Abadie managed two of his team’s six scratches, putting Toulon in the best position at the start of the match. The three friends can congratulate themselves on this success.
FLOPS
You had to get your neck wet to go from Clermont-UBB or Bayonne-Racing 92 to this Toulon-Stade Français. Indigestion before its time. Messy, the two teams too often missed the mark in the last gesture. Hand faults, clumsiness, bad choices… The Toulonnais will only remember the victory and the Stade Français will be able to attack 2024 on new bases. In the first period, the RCT only took the lead thanks to two penalties. The hope of a more open second half was there. Missed. We will still admit that the end of the match was (a little) more interesting, thanks in particular to Fainga’anuku’s try. For the show, we will come back.
Sefa Naivalu was returning from a long injury. His last match dates back to May 28 against La Rochelle. This Saturday, the powerful Australian started in the center, forming a unique pair with the usual winger Lester Etien. Discreet and little used, the former Rebels player relapsed around the 50th minute. On a percussion from Facundo Isa, Naivalu remained on the ground. Accompanied by two trainers, the Australian international limped low. A new relapse for the winger/center, while awaiting the verdict on this new injury.
Starting again at the opening, Joris Segonds missed his match. First in his favorite exercise against the bars (0/3) but also in his game. Imprecise and uninspired offensively, the Parisian opener experienced a difficult encounter. His partner in the hinge, the All Black Brad Weber, will not have shone this Saturday evening either. The former Chiefs scrum-half notably received a yellow card for a high tackle on RCT winger Gaël Drean.
