It will not have missed much and at the same time a bit of everything at Racing to see a new Champions Cup final after those of 2016, 2018 and 2020. During a meeting relocated to Lens, due to a Sexion d'Assaut concert at Paris La Défense Arena, the Ile-de-France residents came up against Rochelais who were undoubtedly a little more powerful and enduring (13-20), contesting their success until the last minute.
La Rochelle will therefore play the final on May 28 in Marseille against the ogre from Ireland, Leinster, who defeated Toulouse the day before (40-17).
😢 End of the match and defeat of Ciel & Blanc against Stade Rochelais.
Thank you all for supporting us throughout this Champions Cup 21-22!
💙
Well done @staderochelais!!!
We wish you a wonderful final against Leinster 💪🇫🇷#R92vSR #RacingFamily pic.twitter.com/bzxzeIaXIl
— Racing 92 (@racing92) May 15, 2022
On a lawn much more accustomed to seeing round balls fly, the big guys were very quickly short of breath.
Heat is not the friend of the muscular.
When you weigh more than 100 kg, it is indeed complicated to run like a rabbit under a good warmth of spring.
The mercury did not rise excessively high in Pas-de-Calais (27°C) but the atmosphere quickly proved to be suffocating for actors under pressure.
Bankruptcy at the foot of Ihaia West
Racing did well at first, taking advantage of La Rochelle's approximations, the lack of liveliness of a team renowned for its power, and the clumsiness of its gunner Ihaia West.
Playing a semi-final without a scorer, you have to dare indeed.
The opener still managed the feat of missing two ready-made penalties of 22 m practically in front of the posts, and a transformation at the same distance, barely more off-centre.
The players of Laurent Travers, dominated in conquest, were able to take advantage of their meager ammunition to settle in the match.
Nolann Le Garrec, who had celebrated his 20th birthday the day before, therefore gave a lesson to his eldest New Zealander (30 years old).
The Sky and White scrum-half, decked out in their red jersey for the occasion, did not miss the target, playing the perfect link between his forwards and his three-quarters.
After an easy penalty (3-0, 3rd), the young prodigy launches his line of attack after a pounding of his pack two meters from the opposing goal line, Virimi Vakatawa infiltrates and scores (10 -0, 27th).
The case is not yet heard but it seems well underway.
Ile-de-France supporters stir in the stands.
They are not numerous and fail to fill the Bollaert stadium, half empty (15,522 spectators for a capacity of 38,000 seats).
La Rochelle fans are rare.
They came in small groups to add a few yellow touches on stands that were too big, even for a Champions Cup semi-final.
A hung duel
The lack of rhythm does not however prevent the suspense.
In this part interspersed with cool breaks, Ronan O'Gara's men react by betting on their pack.
They plant a try at the exit of several conquering scrums by their captain Grégory Alldritt just before half-time (10-8, 40th).
They insist on returning from the locker room and cause an avalanche of Ile-de-France fouls.
Hooker Camille Chat (52nd) and pillar Cedate Gomes Sa (53rd) receive a yellow card and leave their team at 13 against 15.
Racing is in the hard, but that's when it shows the best.
Very close, even, to registering a test in force (67th).
But he runs out faster than his opponent and uses his last strength without materializing, even conceding a try at the very last second.
