Toulouse want to reconnect with their game in the crucial match for the maintenance of the Super League against Wakefield
“It’s a turning point, we no longer have a choice, if we want to be remembered in the standings, we have to win at home. » Tony Gigot, captain of Toulouse Olympique, is aware of the urgency of the situation. With only one victory in the first eleven days, the promoted Toulouse advanced to last place in the Super League, four lengths behind Wakefield, his opponent of the day (this Sunday, 3:30 p.m.).
A new defeat at Ernest-Wallon would place the TO in an uncomfortable situation at the start of the return phase of the Championship. But coach Sylvain Houles does not want to panic. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy, it’s high level learning, but we’re not far at all. And we stick to the score, or we are in front, but there is always a moment when the match switches to the other side…” As against Wigan (28-29, March 5) where the Toulouse will have led the whole meeting, before losing on the wire, or against Hull KR where they led 12-0 at the break before being overthrown 28 -24.
“The important matches that we had to win, on a small arm played, English style on the physical challenge”
The Toulouse technician therefore took advantage of the fifteen-day break, after the heavy setback at Hull FC (48-12, April 30), to organize a weekend of cohesion in Pézenas (Hérault). Staff and players took the opportunity to do some introspection.
“I asked the players to give their feelings, to tell me how they explained that we won St Helens, that we had good matches against Wigan, Hull KR and the Catalans Dragons, which are top teams. 6 and that we missed some matches that we had checked offretrieve Houles. It came out that we had to focus a little more on our identity. Everyone was happy that we were in the Super League because we brought our more attacking style of play. And I find that we did against the big teams, but the important matches that we had to win, on a small arm played, English style on a physical challenge. We won and me the first, that won us the matches, but it’s not us. That’s not Toulouse. »
Two rookies stamped NRL
To play an open, unbridled game, made of movement as he likes, the Toulouse coach can now count on Corey Norman, a 31-year-old Australian half in 228 NRL matches for 227 points scored, who arrived about fifteen years ago. days in Occitania. Still in the recovery phase, after a six-month hiatus, the former Saint George Dragons player should soon be aligned alongside Tony Gigot.
“Tony needs someone who organizes, controls a little more, directs and like that, he has more freedom in the game. To have someone like Corey Norman is huge”enthuses Houles, who has also been busy recruiting another Dragons player, prop Daniel Alvaro (28 years old; 1.90 m; 115 kg) has arrived to densify the team. “He has experience, he’s solid, he’s really the player I wanted. »
Landed Tuesday from Australia, the player (114 NRL games) will play his first match in his new colors, this Sunday “I’m happy to play as soon as possible, the first day was difficult because of the jet lag, but I’m ready, I can’t wait to meet the expectations of the club”Alvaro told us.
The TO can also count on the return from injury of its captain Tony Gigot, and the return from suspension of Lucas Albert.
“In Wakefield (18-6), the two teams did not show up. We should see another match this Sunday.”, promises Houles. All the ingredients seem to come together to prove him right.