On the edge of the synthetic turf of Paris La Défense Arena, it's astonishment.
We play the 20th minute of play and after having conceded two tries from the Toulonnais (3-17), Racing 92 finally launched its match.
Virimi Vakatawa is at the conclusion of a nice collective movement and an acrobatic pass from Teddy Thomas and has only to flatten in the in-goal.
A formality for the three-quarter international center.
It is quickly said.
And that's without counting on this devil of Gabin Villière, the accomplice among the Blues of Vakatawa.
The Toulon winger comes back like a bullet and makes an unthinkable forward.
Lying on his back, the player of Fijian origin cannot believe his eyes.
A scene that is reminiscent of the malice of Toulousain Maxime Médard who had boxed the ball in the hands of English player Freddie Burns in the 2019 Champions Cup.
When asked at the edge of the lawn, Racing 92 manager Laurent Travers contained his anger when he answered the microphone of Canal +: "It's a shame but at one point you have to score".
At the break, Gabin Villière explains: “I'm a little behind the action but I won't let go until the end.
Afterwards he stabs us anyway twice ”
Is it the month without playing that disturbed Virimi Vakatawa?
The center, which was coming back from injury, in any case made up for it later with two breakthroughs of great class which offered in quick succession two tries for Ciel et Blanc to pick up the score (20-20) at the break.
Wonder offload by Teddy Thomas!
And then this from Virimi Vakatawa ...
Well played, Gavin Villiere!
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- Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) January 17, 2021