TOPS
West hits the mark
Stade Rochelais logically won on Saturday against RC Toulon (29-15) and New Zealand opener Ihaia West stood out.
The number 10 in the Maritimes was extremely effective, especially in the first period.
Impeccable in his role as a scorer (4 penalties, one transformation), he scored all of his team's points (19!) Before returning to the locker room, also scoring a trickster try.
In the in-goal fight with Dridi, he was the quickest to flatten the ball.
Formidable.
In the second half, the Kiwi passed three new points (48th) and experienced his first failure (54th).
Without consequence.
Ihaia West, replaced by Jules Plisson in the 71st minute, was certainly the man of the match.
The Rochelais public tried to give voice
The Stade Rochelais had become accustomed, for 55 matches, to sell out in its enclosure of Marcel-Deflandre.
Saturday, for the return of rugby to the Top 14, the prefect of Charentes-Martimes had granted an exemption to the gauge of 5,000 spectators.
They were therefore only 8,000 supporters who had been authorized to come and support their team.
While they were two times less than usual, the supporters were still able to give their voice and be heard.
Precious support for the Rochelais who did not tremble against the RCT.
Despite a little slack in the second half, the supporters of the Yellow and Black held their rank.
Even outnumbered ...
FLOPS
A far too undisciplined RCT
An outing that was certainly not to the liking of Patrice Collazo.
Before the match, the Toulon manager had emphasized the necessary discipline to have to make a blow to La Rochelle.
Completely missed ... The RCT players were far too undisciplined to hope to shake up the Stade Rochelais.
In the first period, Baptiste Serin's teammates multiplied the faults, immediately converted into points by Ihaia West.
Worse, they received almost in quick succession two yellow cards: for Emerick Setiano sanctioned in scrum (32nd), then for Duncan Paia'aua guilty of a tackle in the air on Arthur Retière.
Despite a start in the second half, Toulon started from too far to hope to leave victorious over Marcel-Deflande.
Too many problems in scrum
Referee Romain Poite did not hesitate to crack down in scrum.
Too many times, the scrums between Rochelais and Toulonnais have been unstable, sanctioned.
In a rather messy game, both teams failed to make a clean copy.
Romain Poite has repeatedly called the front row players to order, asking them to be “cleaner”.
The RCT even received a yellow card (Setiano) in this sector.
After six months without playing, Stade Rochelais and RC Toulon will have to resolve these problems in scrum, which could cost them dearly for the rest of the championship.
A glaring lack of rhythm
Obviously, after such a long break, we should not expect wonders in terms of intensity and playing time. Saturday, Rochelais and Toulonnais delivered a disjointed match, with many stops of play. La Rochelle did try a few shots, accelerated the game at times and managed to score two tries.
But, overall this poster of the first day did not keep its promises.
Too many mistakes, too much slag.
It will be - hopefully - a little while before both teams regain their true level.
Proof of this feverishness, this clash between players in the 67th minute for a trifle.
Without gravity.
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La Rochelle extinguishes a far too undisciplined RCT