Tops
The Villière fireworks display
The international winger Gabin Villière again showed the extent of his talent this evening, by registering the first hat-trick of his career in Top 14. If the first (26th) and third (58th) did not require a personal feat , the second showed all his qualities as a finisher (37th).
At the entry of the 22 meters, he came to offer himself at full speed and his power made the difference to break the first curtain of Clermont.
This match concluded a prosperous 2020, which saw him celebrate his first international cap - in rugby - against Italy with a try, a first try in the European Cup, and a tenure in the final of the Cup. Fall of Nations, at Twickenham facing England.
# BoxingDayRugby # RCTASM
In the middle of the colossi Gabin Villière knew how to sneak in The @RCTofficiel winger is the man of this first half with his double (14-9) pic.twitter.com/WVHaxIIbcY
- TOP 14 Rugby (@ top14rugby) December 27, 2020
The Toulon conquest, the basis of victory
Heckled in several areas of play, Charles Ollivon's teammates relied on the strength of the RCT: conquest.
Even without the power of Eben Etzebeth, injured, they tried several balls carried to compensate for the effectiveness of the Auvergnats in the rucks.
In response, the latter sometimes refused to defend on these mauls, to recover a penalty.
An attempt to play with the confusion of the Toulon forwards which remained in vain.
It was in closed scrum that the difference was notable.
Peni Ravai suffered against Emerick Setiano, and Louis Carbonel capitalized on these easy opportunities after returning from the locker room.
The aggressiveness of Clermont youth
Some observers announced a rout in prime time for the ASM, it did not happen.
If the difference was clear in the second period, the first period was particularly strong, with young shoots from Auvergne who put on a high intensity.
The Var, perhaps surprised by this aggressiveness, took long minutes to find the solution and have long been penalized.
This allowed Sébastien Bézy to capitalize against the pole vaults (0-9 after 20 minutes of play), and to suggest that the feat was possible.
Flops
A ultimately disappointing poster
The first half hour intrigued.
Before the reality of the high level and the Toulon experience make the difference.
ASM had clearly announced that this trip to the Mayol stadium was not an objective, unlike the reception of Munster last week (31-39) or Racing 92 next Sunday (9 p.m.).
The flagship poster of the decade presented an uninspiring face, in a hopelessly empty and cold atmosphere.
Game launches were imprecise, and the game turned into a physical challenge.
Apisai Naqalevu, Ma'a Nonu or Romain Taofifenua were therefore more and more in demand over the minutes.
ASM's downward spiral
Fourth defeat in six games for the Clermontois.
While the match in Bristol in the European Cup (38-51) had impressed, the teammates of Wesley Fofana, captain for one night, fell back into their trap.
A lack of consistency and collective strength that had already been glaring against Montpellier (15-21) at home.
The reception of Racing 92 next Sunday (9 p.m.), against an opponent in great shape, could be a turning point of the season.
Toulon indiscipline could have been expensive
The triple European champions came close to the correctional end of the game, outnumbered.
After the yellow card received by Duncan Paia'aua (76th) for a shoulder tackle, Alivereti Raka was very close to taking advantage of a poor appreciation of Ma'a Nonu and depriving the locals of the offensive bonus point.
At the start of the second half, it was Christopher Tolofua who got a temporary exit for a stupid gesture (42nd).
Fortunately without consequence for his teammates.
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