Rugby League: Toulouse Olympique sees it more clearly despite the defeat at the Catalans Dragons in a friendly match (26-10)
Although beaten in Perpignan, Saturday January 29, the Toulousains can retain many positive points.
Only one friendly match in the legs, but already no certainties. The Toulousains, returned yesterday to the Gilbert Brutus stadium to face the Catalans Dragons, took the hens of what will await them very soon in Super League mode. A first experience for this new-look TO who knew how to give some blood and gold, finalists in the championship three months earlier at Old-Trafford against Saint-Helens.
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This unique preparatory match will have allowed Sylvain Houles’ men to see more clearly their possibilities of expression. With a team reshuffled at the last moment, following Joseph Paulo’s withdrawal from the warm-up, and an injury to Mathieu Jussaume during the match, the few blue and white supporters present could fear the worst. It has not happened. Despite the speed of execution of blood and or entry into the match, forcing the TO to redouble their vigilance and defensive solidarity. Solid on impact like Garbutt, Peyroux or Sangaré, the Toulouse were not outdone offensively. To the point of opening the scoring with a furious Lloyd White at the sight of the poles.
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With the transformation of Chris Hankinson, the Dragons were summoned to react. It will be done by the French international winger, Fouad Yaha, in the end, after a skillfully concerted action. In the process and in an almost similar configuration, the other winger Tom Davies buckled in corner. At the break, the Catalans had not stolen their lead on the scoreboard. But the TO has character.
An already promising Toulouse promoter…
And success, with a Chris Hankinson very happy to flatten the leather in the right place, following a winning “billiard shot” in the opposite in-goal. However, Toulouse was beginning to suffer the blows of the solid Dudson, Kasiano, Mc Meeken and others. Impressively powerful, the opposing English prop, Gil Dudson, rewarded himself for his commendable efforts by scoring a fourth time behind the white line.
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Worn but still standing, Toulouse multiplied the assaults. Sometimes in a disorderly way, but with an obvious desire not to crack. After a multiplication of passes, the second-line Joe Chan, freshly returned, bit in the interval to register the fifth try of his people. At the final packaging, a logical victory for the Perpignanais on their lawn and in front the eyes of their supporters. But the Toulouse Olympique, amputated by many absences, has nothing to be ashamed of its performance. Can’t wait for the Huddersfield Giants to come to Ernest Wallon on February 12 for the opening of the championship. A historic date, for an already promising Toulouse promoter.
Datasheet
CATALAN DRAGONS: 26 – OLYMPIC TOULOUSE: 10
In Perpignan, Gilbert Brutus Stadium, MT: 10-6, Referee: James Moore
For the winners: 5 E Yaha (22), Davies (27, 44), Dudson (67), Chan (73); 3T Tomkins (22, 67, 73)
For the losers: 2 E White (16), Hankinson (60); 1 T Hankinson (16)
CATALAN DRAGONS: Tomkins (cap) – Yaha, Langi, Whare, Davies – (o) Pierce, (m) Drinkwater – Goudemand – Whitley, Mc Meeken- Napa, Mc Illorum – Dudson. Came into play: Kasiano, Seguier, Laguerre, Jullien, Romano, Dezaria, May, Rougé, Chan
OLYMPIC TOULOUSE: Leg (cap) – Bergal, Jussaume, Armitage, Russel – (o) Hankinson, (m) Albert– Navarette – Peyroux, Dixon – Sangaré, White, Bretherton. Came into play: Pélissier, Pech, Garbutt, Marion, Depeyre, Garcia, Laguerre, Ross, Stefani, Hansen