After a sensational match, the Toulouse stadium won the final of the Top 14 against the Rochelais stadium (29-26), recent European champion.
By Nathan Joubioux for The Point.fr
© FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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It will have had to wait until the last minute before knowing the result of a Top 14 final with twists and turns, at the Stade de France, Saturday June 17. Finally, it is the Toulousain stadium which raises the shield of Brennus, after his victory against the Rochelais stadium (29-26), thanks to an incredible try from Romain Ntamack in the 78e minute and after a run of 60 meters.
Less than three months from the World Cup-2023, the Toulousains recover their crown of kings of France, abandoned in Montpellier for a season. Les Rouge et Noir, who scored two tries through Santiago Chocobares (23e) and Romain Ntamack (78e), have not lost in the Top 14 final since 2006.
La rochelaise awkwardness
But the Toulousains doubted a lot, allowing the Rochelais to go ahead from 13-3 to 13-20. Then they had to wait for the hour mark to regain control of the score thanks to a new penalty from Thomas Ramos (63e). The Rochelais still led 26-22 until the victorious breakthrough of Ntamack. Above all, they withstood the impressive physical challenge imposed by Grégory Alldritt’s teammates. If they rocked a little, the Toulouse people held the helm to get this twenty-second title, the sixth since 2006.
They also took advantage of the clumsiness of the opposing scorer, Antoine Hastoy, who left nine points on the way.
Julien Marchand, hooker of the Toulouse Stadium, underlined the performance of La Rochelle: “We almost did not believe it at the end, and then there is a stroke of genius from Romain [Ntamack]. Congratulations to them because they delivered a very big game. We were undisciplined and we almost paid for it. It is the discipline that is very important. Congratulations again to them because they were very, very strong, they had a very good season, we must congratulate them”.
Second final and second loss
Opposite, frustration prevails: “It’s hard. We are fine, we are in our plan for 76 or 77 minutes. And then there you have it, a lack of connection in our defence. Me, I missed points on the foot too. It’s hard to see scenes of joy on the other side when you know the sacrifices we’ve made. Kudos to them. We will leave strong because the club deserves this shield [de Brennus] “, confessed Antoine Hastoy, opener from La Rochelle.
After their second Champions Cup victory, the Maritimes therefore lost their second Top 14 final after 2021 and are still chasing a first national title.