the impact of the Toulouse bench, no Basque fury

Tops

Les Rouge et Noir and their “chameleon” game
Since the start of the season, Stade Toulousain has demonstrated impressive efficiency and realism. Each fault, each unfavorable release is paid in cash. We are far from the flights and the famous “Toulouse game” but it works and it wins. “There is a media effect that we would like to see more of the game from us, Ugo Mola told us before the match. What has become exceptional with others is a bit normal with us. Sometimes winning without style is not always well received. But we will continue to play rugby in line with the reality of things, of our opponents, of our players. ” This was the case this Saturday in Aguiléra. After having long held the showdown and padlocked the enthusiasm of Biarritz, the Toulouse residents have placed two banderillas. Surgical. Formidable. The Stadistes signed a fifth success in as many days. Don’t look, no one has done better.

Toulouse’s XXL bench has done some damage
At first glance, one could think that Stade Toulousain had rotated its workforce for this trip to the Basque Country. It was without counting on the huge bench of substitutes aligned by Ugo Mola. And, in a rough and padlocked match, the Rouge et Noir made the difference after the 50^e minute corresponding to the entry of their “finishers”. This is how Tim Nanai-Williams (58^e) and Antoine Dupont (60^e) placed two banderillas per hour of play. Two accelerators that were fatal at Biarritz Olympique, until then solid and exemplary of self-sacrifice.

Aguiléra still in fusion
Weaned from elite rugby for seven years, the Biarritz public has been present since the start of the season. For the reception of the great Stade Toulousain, double champion of France and reigning European champion, Aguiléra was archicomble this Saturday. And the Basques gave voice, pushed for 80 minutes. Atmosphere of fire. Like the fiery barrage against the neighboring Bayonne last June. Not sure that in the North the team is thus supported …

flops

The fury of the soundtrack contained at the start
It is one of the strengths of Biarritz Olympique when it evolves in Aguiléra. Thunderous start to the match that regularly sends their opponents to the penalty and which gives an advantage that makes the difference. Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 can attest to this. This time it didn’t work. The BO tried to print a rhythm and a higher intensity but the Reds and Blacks stood up, they bent their backs but not yielded. Once the storm passed, the players of Ugo Mola were able to breathe and they even turned with a short header at the break (0-3).

Tekori sees red
He is one of the managers of the Toulouse locker room. One of the “dads” who supervises the young red-and-black guard. The investment of Iosefa Tekori (37) has never been called into question, on the other hand his commitment is often at the limit. Against the BO, it is the hooker Romain Ruffenach who suffered a tackle too high from the second line Samoan (69^e). Direct and logical red card, in view of the severity accumulated concerning these bad gestures. Evil tongues will say he is customary, but it was only his third red in his career in the Top 14 (15 yellow cards). And it did not pass on his own to win in the Basque Country.

Too much waste in the first period
Certainly, the intensity and the commitment were there. But the first act between Basques and Haut-Garonnais was marked by many inaccuracies, small slags. Toulouse had some misses in touch, Biarritz missed narrowly in its game. The two teams gave themselves fully, but the result was not very approximate. Even if the score is very small at the break, the game was not a thought. Biarritz clearly announces the color by offering the fight without releasing. This time it didn’t happen. Particularly for lack of precision and realism in the first period.