His match had not started so well, however.
Like his team from La Rochelle, battered at the start of their quarter-final against the English at Sale, Raymond Rhule suffered when the game was still close.
Especially against his English vis-à-vis, who eliminated him with a hook before serving Sam James for a try that put Sale back in the game, at the end of the first half.
But far from pushing it down, this floating defense put Raymond Rhule back in the game.
And dramatically.
Upon returning from the locker room, the 28-year-old South African winger turned the game upside down.
Launched inside his opener Ihaia West, Raymond Rhule pierces the first English defensive curtain and eliminates the last defender with a delicious fake pass that would have raised the public from the Marcel-Deflandre stadium, if he could have been there .
“We were a little worried when we got back to the locker room when the English came back to two points.
This test reassured us immediately, admits Romain Sazy, captain of the Yellow and Black.
Afterwards, we were released.
And when we have three-quarters running like that behind, it's nice.
"
🏉 Raymond Rhule test under the posts after a perfectly negotiated sideline!
Stade Rochelais ideally starts this second act against Sale (25-16).
#SRvSAL #ChampionsCup
▶ Follow the second half live: https://t.co/5cgM43s5Kd pic.twitter.com/CF33kQoS3h
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) April 10, 2021
Raymond Rhule will not be long in putting things back together.
Ten minutes later, he received a well-felt pass from Brice Dulin and surprised the English back Hammersley to protect La Rochelle.
He will also be decisive on Doumayrou's next try.
A solid performance that earned him the man of the match award.
"He really has enormous qualities, he is a brawler, he never gives up," greets Romain Sazy.
Known by its captain, "Raymond" is however one of the last to arrive in La Rochelle.
Transferred to the summer of 2020 from Grenoble, where he spent two seasons in Pro D2, Raymond Rhule has perfectly succeeded in his integration on the upper floor.
“I could have stayed in Grenoble, but I had the opportunity to do something different and here I am,” he explains simply.
An eventful career
This qualification for the semi-finals of the European Cup, a first for the Rochelle club, is a new stage in the eventful career of Raymond Rhule.
Born in Accra, Ghana in 1992, this lively and powerful player arrived in South Africa at the age of 7 with his family.
He quickly learned about rugby and rose through the ranks to the point of winning in the province of Cheetas and applying for the Springboks.
He will have 7 selections as holder in 2017 with South Africa and will register a try.
But a 57-0 loss against the All Blacks and his defensive mistakes will be right for his future in the national team.
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"Raymond" then decides to relaunch his career in Grenoble, in 2018. On the Pro D2 fields, his speed is talked about.
And seduces Jono Gibbes, the New Zealand manager of La Rochelle.
“He's really a very good player, greets the coach.
It is always a bet to integrate a player who comes from outside the group.
But anyone who has seen Grenoble for two years knows his talent.
He plays without hesitation, instinctively.
His success is a great reward for his investment and his work.
The goal now is to win a Top 14 or European Cup title to crown this great second career.