La Rochelle, who we knew were more inspired, suffered on Sunday to see off a valiant Toulon team (27-17) who were up for a defensive bonus in the last minute of this clash of rivals at the end of Day 22 Top. 14.
How complicated things were for the Maritimes, they pushed first and managed to take the lead after half an hour, but could not beat their opponents who played their card to the fullest.
RCT, which came to the Atlantic coast largely overhauled compared to the victorious XV from Toulouse the previous weekend at the Vélodrome (20-19), developed without complexes and ran cold through the alleys of the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium.
And there were a lot of them at the start, a materialized attempt by Mathieu Smaïli at the end of the turn with a pass through the leg of Ben White to Setariki Tuicuva, who served him acrobatically (7:0 after the conversion in the 3rd minute) .
Despite their strength on display, the Maritimes were thwarted in their initiatives in the running game. They therefore went through the established phases to mark the young Varski guard, who, after a series of shelling (10-10, 20), retreated in the middle of their posts in front of the almost one and a half quintal of Uini Atonio.
Botia came close to a double for his 200th
The indiscipline of the Vars also facilitated the plans of La Rochelle, who dominated their scrum at the end of the first half. After the departure of captain Grégory Alldritt, it was local favorite Levani Botia who rewarded his team with strength, duly celebrating his 200th in the Caravel jersey (20-10, 40+3).
Lucas Zamora, the fourth scrum half in La Rochelle’s hierarchy, entered the break after the injury of Teddy Iribaren, the unfortunate actor who returned from the dressing room when he was hit by Juita Wainiqolo for a new close to the score (20-17, 52nd).
This lively and rhythmic shock was carried away by Will Skelton’s full-field attack which spurred Rochelais on again determinedly and dominantly near the Var line for around ten minutes without breaking the opposition barrier despite several penalties being awarded but he was not tempted. selection.
Botia thought he would save his team with a double, but his attempt was disallowed in advance due to Jonathan Danty’s too high elbow (69).
Time for money in favor of La Rochelle
Bringing his side past the hour mark, Pierre Mignoni’s men maintained the indecisiveness until the end, with a strong moment close to the local zone of truth, but to no avail.
Time for the money ended smilingly in yellow and black after a series of accusations, the latest of which Oscar Jégou was confirmed on video as a big success four days before the end of the regular season.
Rochelais move up to fifth place in the rankings
In the standings, Ronan O’Gary’s men reclaim 5th place from their victims of the evening, too penalized – 3 yellow cards received – to hope for better, but remain in the Top 6 with two small points ahead of Perpignan (7th). the surprise of this indecisive spring.