Super League – Toulouse Olympique XIII vs Huddersfield Giants (14-42): the notes of Toulouse – Rugby League
For his first in the Super League at Ernest Wallon, Toulouse Olympique lost to Huddersfield (14-42). Here are the notes of the Toulouse players.
Tony Gigot – 4 : Returning perfectly to his match, Tony Gigot took the match in hand both in animation and in footwork. He gives a magnificent assist on foot. It is also impeccable on high balls. Then like the collective, he experienced a big drop in speed at the end of the first period. The present second period is complicated, it is less, makes an unacceptable fault and its positioning in defense leaves something to be desired. We expect more from the one who must be the leader of his team for 80 minutes.
Ilias Bergal – 4 : Like Tony Gigot, Illias Bergal made a good start to the match. He makes his speed speak on the kick of his back and is present in defense. Unfortunately, he blessed himself at the start of the second period. The Giants will be able to take advantage of his difficulties in moving, this will result in several faults in attack and defense, too bad. Maybe not a gift to have left in the field.
Junior Vaivai – 5 : A superb release to bring the first try. He was dangerous with the ball in hand but without really making a difference again. Guilty of an inopportune peak, he gives the Giants a ready-made try.
Guy Armitage – 6 : If the impression is mixed in defense, he was rather good in attack. 7 broken tackles and a try. There is still work to be done in defense and on his connection with his winger, but the results are positive.
Matty Russell – 6 : Always dynamic on his wing, Russell broke 7 tackles, mainly on ball rebounds. Not much on the other hand to put in their mouths in attack.
Lucas Albert – 4 : A very average kicking game in the first period. He then makes his canes speak and pierces the defense but unfortunately misses the 2 against 1 facing the back. His kicking game in the 3rd held less than 2 minutes from the end gave the Giants unexpected ammunition which gave them an advantage they should not have had when returning to the locker room. The second period will have been delicately in defense.
Chris Hankinson- 4 : Replaced at the opening, the rookie will not have been to his advantage. Not very sharp in attack, a small 1 out of 3 on foot and above all a missed touch at the wrong time. While the TO leads 10-6 10 minutes from the break, it’s a wasted opportunity in attack and a gift for the opponent who will hurt later.
Joe Bretherton – 4 : The English giants struggled to establish themselves in midfield. Often pushed back in attack, he was not dominant either in defense and conceded 2 penalties.
Lloyd White – 3 : He shared playing time with Eloi Pélissier. The beginning is correct but the end of the first period is complicated. A 40-20 attempt directly into touch, missed tackles including one which leads to a try. He might have deserved to come out between the 25th and 30th minute.
Roman Navarrete – 5 : Always valiant, both in attack and in defense, he finished his team’s best tackler with 36 tackles. We could expect him to win more ball-in-hand duels.
Dominique Peyroux – 6 : Lively on the supports, he posed difficulties for the defense of the Giants. He breaks 4 tackles and was quite active in defense without being faulted. He also allowed his defense to slide well on the outside.
Andrew Dixon- 5 : He made 36 tackles, best Toulouse tackler with Romain Navarrete. Otherwise he was rather sober… too much maybe, he didn’t get the upper hand over his opponents either in attack or in defense.
James Cunningham – 5 : Like his sidekick, sober, lacking in won duels and with a little more waste in defense.
Substitutes
Eloi Pelissier – 6 : Less visible than usual, he still brought his dynamism without making any mistakes. The comparison with White is inevitable and to his advantage. Its freshness would undoubtedly have been useful to the TO at the end of the first period.
Justin Sangare – 6 : He breaks 1 tackle, makes 1 release and defended correctly. We expect a little more impact now that the Super League baptism is done.
Maxime Puech – 5 : 3 missed tackles and 1 conceded penalty is unfortunately a bit too much. Same thing as for Justin Sangare,
Joseph Paulo – 4 : His entry did not bring much choice. Guilty of two penalties quickly, he did not really put his team in the direction of travel when it needed it. Not really what is expected of a player of his experience.