17 minutes. This is the time during which Racing 92 will have been able to compete with Stade Toulousain. It is too little, of course, in this high-level rugby that does not support the slightest fault of hand, the slightest drop in intensity for 80 minutes. This inconsistent Racing is not at the level of Stade Toulousain. We suspected it before the match, we had the severe confirmation on the lawn of Anoeta, in San Sebastian, scene of a Basque coup de force of the Red and Black.
Antoine Dupont's partners qualified for the final of the Top 14, next week at the Stade de France, crushing the Ciel et Blanc (41-14). The observation is implacable: Racing 92, regular in the finals for 13 seasons, has never tasted the Stade de France for a final of the Top 14 (its title of 2016 had been obtained in Barcelona). It still won't be for this year.
During this first American quarter of an hour, we will have seen the Red and Black and the Sky and White turn around, sting, respond to each other, in their ferocity as in their imperfections. The balloons scraped on the ground followed the touches stolen in the air, Woki competed with Cros and Chat with Marchand. Pointed out for the weakness of its pack and its intermittent commitment all year, Racing seemed stung at the beginning of the match.
The revival of Ntamack, the chistera of Dupont
And then, patatras, the Toulouse talent made the difference. Where we expected the lightning of Antoine Dupont, it is first Matthis Lebel, relegated in the hierarchy of the XV of France, who recalled the good memory of Fabien Galthié, 12 days before the announcement of his first list of 42 players for the World Cup in France.
The winger trained in Lombez Samatan in the Gers plants the first Toulouse try in the middle of a forest of Racingmen. Imitated a few moments later by another X-factor that we have not finished hearing about, Emmanuel Meafou, powerful second line who scored his 12th try of the season... more than any other Toulouse.
Returning to the locker room with suitcases full at the break (20-0, after two penalties from Ramos, impeccable), Racing changed half of its pack. But the result is the same. And when the players of Laurent Travers, who would have dreamed of another performance for his last game as manager, have the bad idea to give the ball back to the geniuses of Toulouse, it is the punishment. Ramos and Ntamack offer themselves a recovery of 80 m, Antoine Dupont delivers a brilliant chistera pass to Arthur Retière, and the defeat turns into a historical correction.
"Rugby is a very fair sport, you get what you deserve," Racing winger Juan Imhoff told Canal+. They beat us everywhere. "Supreme humiliation, Toulouse stars Dupont and Ntamack are replaced from the hour of play. A relaxation that allows the Ile-de-France to save the honor twice, too late.
After the "Tou-lou-sains, Tou-lou-sains" that resonated under the noisy roof of Anoeta, a "Penia Baiona", to the glory of the Blue and Whites of the Aviron Bayonnais, nearby, also rises stands. But the Ciel et Blanc of Racing, they sank without really revolting. And this is probably the most worrying thing.
Points
TOULOUSE - RACING 92 : 41-14
Half-time: 20-0.
Toulouse. 5 tries (Lebel 18th, Meafou 23rd, Roumat 50th, Retière 58th, Cros 80th). 5 conversions (Ramos 19th, 24th, 51st, 59th, 80th + 1). 2 penalties (Ramos 33rd, 40th + 2).
Racing 92. 2 tries (Fickou 71st, Diallo 76th). 2 transformations (Russell 71st, 76th).