Toulouse Olympique: above all, no crack, boom… Hull!
In the quest to maintain, Olympic Toulouse must win this Friday against Hull FC now eighth.
Good things always come to an end. Last Saturday, the Toulouse-Olympique learned it the hard way. After three consecutive successes acquired against Hull KR, Wakefield and Leeds, the Toulousains had brilliantly relaunched their season and left the last place, that of relegation.
The reception of Salford should allow them to take a further step towards this eleventh place synonymous with maintenance. Or, Salford turned hope into despair. The Toulouse lost (11-24) after a very lackluster second half. However, they retain eleventh place (thanks to a better goal average), but remain under threat from Wakefield (who travels to Castleford this Friday).
Daniel Alvaro suspended
This evening on the occasion of this penultimate reception at home, the Olympic Toulouse has put its foot against the wall, especially since it will be deprived of its Australian pillar, Daniel Alvaro (Suspended for a meeting). His quest for maintenance goes through a victory this evening at the expense of the “Airlies Birds” of Hull FC who had dominated the first leg (48-12). A formation which at the moment is in abeyance. During the Magic Weekend, she brilliantly won against her neighbor and rival Hull KR (34-28).
On the other hand, the last two performances ended in as many defeats. In Wigan, the Birds took a scathing (60-0). Last week during the reception of Castleford, the FC was copiously dominated (46-18). Right now, Brett Hodgson’s team is looking for a second wind. The Olympians can thus take advantage of this slowdown to seek a sixth victory. But, in sport and especially in Rugby League, appearances are deceptive. Always be wary of a wounded animal.