Racing did not take advantage of one of its late matches.
Opposed in Toulon on Sunday night, Laurent Travers' men suffered the law of the Var (23-29), losing at home for the second time this season after a setback against Toulouse in October.
A stop for the Ile-de-France residents, who remained on six successes in a row in all competitions.
The game
Seized by the throat.
For twenty minutes, Racing 92 has shown one of its worst faces since the start of the season.
Swept away by the offensive momentum materialized by two tries from Rebbadj (12th) and Serin (18th), Laurent Travers' men first had to apply themselves to recovering this 17-3 taken from the start.
Finished ?
No, because in four minutes and two tries by Lauret (34th) and Thomas (38th), Racing took the lead (20-17) just before the break of an unbridled first period (20-20).
But Parisians have never managed to find a second wind.
Caught in the forwards fight, like this touch five meters from the line where the "big guys" of Racing 92 were pushed around by their counterparts (61st), the third of the Top 14 suffered in the second act, entering only three points.
Dominators, the Toulonnais got back to their opener Louis Carbonnel, author of 19 points, to gradually widen the gap.
Enough to afford his second victory outside of the season, after that on the lawn of the Agen red lantern.
The image: the blunder of Vakatawa
This is the meat of this game.
After two tries conceded in quick succession, Racing 92 returned to the attack in the 20th minute on the right wing where Teddy Thomas served his center Virimi Vakatawa, back after a month of absence.
The French international quietly returns in the in-goal, waits to flatten ... and does not see the Toulon winger Gabin Villière return who hits him and causes him to lose the ball.
Wonder offload by Teddy Thomas!
And then this from Virimi Vakatawa ...
Well played, Gavin Villiere!
pic.twitter.com/yekbu7Xoq5
- Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) January 17, 2021
Abasoudi, Vakatawa ends up on the ground, looking around him looking lost.
And instead of a test in their favor, the Racingmen ended up with a scrum in favor of the Var.
An action reminiscent of a European Cup match in Toulouse in 2018 where Maxime Médard had made a similar rescue against Bath.
The three-quarters of Racing 92 then made up for it by being very mobile, bringing the test of Teddy Thomas.
The number: 14
French internationals in force.
More than a third of the 37 players selected by Fabien Galthié to prepare for the first match of the Six Nations Tournament in Italy on February 6 were on the scoresheet on Sunday night in Nanterre.
Each of the teams had seven in its ranks: Kolingar, Chat, Colombe, Le Roux, Vakatawa, Thomas and Taofifenua for Racing;
Gros, Taofifenua, Rebbadj, Ollivon, Serin, Carbonel and Villière on the Var side.
If Virimi Vakatawa has alternated the ridiculous between his failed essay and the impressive one with his breakthroughs, Teddy Thomas - twirling and author of an essay - Louis Carbonel po and Gabin Villière or even Charles Ollivon have distinguished themselves.
The 14 will meet the rest of their partners in Marcoussis from January 24.
RACING 92 - TOULON: 23-29
Half-time: 20-20
Referee:
M. Castaignède
Racing 92:
tests Lauret (34th), Thomas (38th);
Machenaud transformation (34th, 38th);
Machenaud penalties (9th, 25th, 44th).
Toulon:
trials Rebbadj (12th), Serin (18th);
Carbonel transformations (12th, 18th);
Carbonel penalties (6th, 40th, 46th, 57th, 65th).
Racing 92:
Beale - Thomas, Vakatawa, Chavancy (cap.) (Klemenczak, 73), D. Taofifenua - (o) Russell, (m) Machenaud (Iribaren, 50th) - Chouzenoux (Diallo, 57th), Sanconnie (Chouzenoux, 68th), Lauret - Bird (Palu, 63rd), Le Roux (Bird, 68th) - Oz (Colombe, 55th, Oz, 80th), Chat (Le Guen, 63rd), Ben Arous (Kolingar, 55th, Ben Arous, 80th ).
Coach:
Laurent Travers
Toulon:
Toeava - Heem, Paia'aua (Meric, 77th), Nonu (Ikpefan, 41st) (Dakuwaqa, 66th), Villière - (o) Carbonel, (m) Serin - Ollivon (cap.), Parisse (Lakafia, 66th ), Rebbadj - Alainuuese (Taofifenua, 45th), Etzebeth - Setiano (Gigashvili, 45th), Etrillard (Tolofua, 45th), Gros (Devaux, 66th).
Coach:
Patrice Collazo
