Clermont vs Toulouse on final

[Stillknox]

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So sad for Clermont... but unlike last year, Toulouse was clearly superior. In lineout, scrum & attack... and Rougerie's was offside on his try by the way. They are by far the best team in France... almost in Europe ( ) and winning the Brennus without a true fly half, without Clerc, Poitrenaud, Nyanga, and with Elissalde on one leg is a great achievement.

Men of the game: Jauzion (he's back !) Sowerby, Elissalde Servat and Médard for his solidity under the high ball and his wonderful try.

Congrats Toulouse !
[/b]

As a Stade fan that must be difficult for you to say! [/b][/quote]

Sadly I can't say anything else after a loss by +15 in semi final...

 

[MunsterMan]

I wonder where Toulouse learned to close a game out like that I can't wait to hear JB complaining to the newspapers about Toulouse and their pick and go's during the week.

I feel sorry for Clermont, they have such rotten luck in finals. My respect for Ellisade has gone up highly after it took a tumble after the HEC final. Most Fly Halves wouldn't have lasted half as long as he did. The Medard try was superb. Excellent from start to finish

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Feel sad for Clermont, who clerly missed the K game.

heard before the match a player, don't remenber his name, who said that TLS was able to deprive any team of ball, what has happened.
After that, small grip in the Clermont's gear was enough to make them foil.

But true congrats for TLS, what a devotion and strengh for this year, and thanks for the two teams who despite the stake, played 100% their own game and never closed it.

 

[Sir Speedy]

One of the best games all season. Ellisalde was excellent considering his injury - he was very brave to stay on. And Kelleher, unlike his counterpart, J Marshall, proved he can still mince it at the highest level. Medard was superb all evening and Jauzion, well, my MOTM by some distance (which is saying a lot since every member of the Toulouse backline played out of their skins!) I'm glad Toulouse won, because now that will benefit Sale in Europe next year; Clermont will move Heaven and Earth to win the T14 next season - can anyone tell me why they were so awful last night? I expected them to win by 15+, but Toulouse proved why they are one of the best sides in the World, and by far the most exciting and adventurous team in Europe.

A special mention must go to Eurosport. Once again, they broadcasted the match 10 minutes too late, as my Sky+ recording now ends on the 64th minute; thankfully though, capturing the Medard try, which was one of, if not the, best team tries all season.

 

[hotaie]

kelleher good playermaker the best player in this final

 

[peppers07]

Feel sorry for clermont i think its kind of unfaur (though exciting) that the team that tops the table can then lose in the semies or final didnt see the match as i dont have eurosport 2

 

[DonBilly]

One of the best games all season. Ellisalde was excellent considering his injury - he was very brave to stay on. And Kelleher, unlike his counterpart, J Marshall, proved he can still mince it at the highest level. Medard was superb all evening and Jauzion, well, my MOTM by some distance (which is saying a lot since every member of the Toulouse backline played out of their skins!) I'm glad Toulouse won, because now that will benefit Sale in Europe next year; Clermont will move Heaven and Earth to win the T14 next season - can anyone tell me why they were so awful last night? I expected them to win by 15+, but Toulouse proved why they are one of the best sides in the World, and by far the most exciting and adventurous team in Europe.

A special mention must go to Eurosport. Once again, they broadcasted the match 10 minutes too late, as my Sky+ recording now ends on the 64th minute; thankfully though, capturing the Medard try, which was one of, if not the, best team tries all season. [/b]

Did you notice that Rougerie was off-side at the beginning of the move which led to his try. Similarly there was a knock-on by the Toulousains at the start of the action which was concluded by Médard's try.

Anyway possibly some of the best Club Rugby played this season. The intensity was of the same magnitude as many test Rugby matches. Anyway when you look to who was playing most of the players have already some caps.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Did you notice that Rougerie was off-side at the beginning of the move which led to his try. Similarly there was a knock-on by the Toulousains at the start of the action which was concluded by Médard's try.
[/b]

Nope, must have missed that - although I did see the knock-on before Médard's try. To be fair though, Clermont had two very good oppurtunities to score tries but they messed them up by knock-ons (Benoit Baby did this, I can't remember when though.)
I'd say Toulouse were the better team on the day, and are better in general. This is proved by the fact they won the game, quite convincingly, while missing Vincent Clerc and Clermont Poitreneau (although Médard would be first choice for me now - ahead of Poitreneau.) I'm afraid if Clermont can't perform when it really, really matters, then they deserve little sympathy from any fan. They have been dominant all season - just like Gloucester were in the Guinness Premiership, but the pressure of winning the Brennus for the first time was simply too much for them.
That's two finals in a row that they've lost, but I'm sure they'll come back next year much more determined to win it; and I certainly wouldn't bet against them being in the final for a third straight year!

 

[DonBilly]

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Did you notice that Rougerie was off-side at the beginning of the move which led to his try. Similarly there was a knock-on by the Toulousains at the start of the action which was concluded by Médard's try.
[/b]

Nope, must have missed that - although I did see the knock-on before Médard's try. To be fair though, Clermont had two very good oppurtunities to score tries but they messed them up by knock-ons (Benoit Baby did this, I can't remember when though.)
I'd say Toulouse were the better team on the day, and are better in general. This is proved by the fact they won the game, quite convincingly, while missing Vincent Clerc and Clermont Poitreneau (although Médard would be first choice for me now - ahead of Poitreneau.) I'm afraid if Clermont can't perform when it really, really matters, then they deserve little sympathy from any fan. They have been dominant all season - just like Gloucester were in the Guinness Premiership, but the pressure of winning the Brennus for the first time was simply too much for them.
That's two finals in a row that they've lost, but I'm sure they'll come back next year much more determined to win it; and I certainly wouldn't bet against them being in the final for a third straight year! [/b][/quote]

This was their ninth final and their ninth defeat. Only the Stade Français had lost so many times the final so far but at least they have won the Brennus shield 13th times.

 

[Gavin]

Watched the highlights on Eurosport. Toulouse did to Clermont what Munster did to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup Final. Wonder if Ellisade will be complaining again after the pick-and-go tatic they used during the last 10 minutes.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Watched the highlights on Eurosport. Toulouse did to Clermont what Munster did to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup Final. Wonder if Ellisade will be complaining again after the pick-and-go tatic they used during the last 10 minutes.
[/b]

Yep, 75 minutes of absolutely breathtaking rugby was spoilt by a small lull where Toulouse tried to close the game out...in fact, it was even shorter than a 5 minute period. The difference between Munster and Toulouse is that Munster seem intent on playing negative rugby for their gain. I haven't got a problem with that, because if it works then ok. But you have no right to criticise Toulouse for killing the game over a period that was a fraction of the length that Munster did it in the Heineken Cup Final - it's really petty and senseless.

 

[Gavin]

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Watched the highlights on Eurosport. Toulouse did to Clermont what Munster did to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup Final. Wonder if Ellisade will be complaining again after the pick-and-go tatic they used during the last 10 minutes.
[/b]

Yep, 75 minutes of absolutely breathtaking rugby was spoilt by a small lull where Toulouse tried to close the game out...in fact, it was even shorter than a 5 minute period. The difference between Munster and Toulouse is that Munster seem intent on playing negative rugby for their gain. I haven't got a problem with that, because if it works then ok. But you have no right to criticise Toulouse for killing the game over a period that was a fraction of the length that Munster did it in the Heineken Cup Final - it's really petty and senseless. [/b][/quote]

I wasn't criticising Toulouse for playing that sort of rugby because that is how you win close matches in the dying minutes.

 

[MunsterMan]

Servat's try came after a period of Toulsose pick and go's aswell.There was definately more than five minutes.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Servat's try came after a period of Toulsose pick and go's aswell.There was definately more than five minutes.
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If you bring those cases into the equation, then you could argue all teams play boring rugby, since all teams have a period where they pick up and go. We're talking about the 'pick up and go' play where the teams sole intention is to close the game out. Toulouse did this for about two minutes...let alone five.

 

[DonBilly]

Servat's try came after a period of Toulsose pick and go's aswell.There was definately more than five minutes. [/b]

There's a difference in my view when pick and go is performed when attacking a very well defended try line compared to pick and go performed at the centre of the pitch in front of a sparse defence and just intended to win time.

 

[peppers07]

I didnt see this match so cant comment in that but teams shouldnt be criticed for the way they plat the game you do what it takes to win. Im, sure you wouldnt be complaining if your team won the Heineken cup or top 14 after killing the game at the end

I didnt see this match so cant comment on that but teams shouldnt be criticed for the way they plat the game you do what it takes to win. Im, sure you wouldnt be complaining if your team won the Heineken cup or top 14 after killing the game at the end.

 

[DonBilly]

I didnt see this match so cant comment in that but teams shouldnt be criticed for the way they plat the game you do what it takes to win. Im, sure you wouldnt be complaining if your team won the Heineken cup or top 14 after killing the game at the end

I didnt see this match so cant comment on that but teams shouldnt be criticed for the way they plat the game you do what it takes to win. Im, sure you wouldnt be complaining if your team won the Heineken cup or top 14 after killing the game at the end. [/b]

Toulouse is not my team and I have always been unfriendly with the way Stade Français used to play at Nick Mallet era when it was very defensive and relying a lot on the boot of their FH, Domingo Dominguez at that time. Galthié has improved a lot the way the Stade Français plays.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

Watched the highlights on Eurosport. Toulouse did to Clermont what Munster did to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup Final. Wonder if Ellisade will be complaining again after the pick-and-go tatic they used during the last 10 minutes.
[/b]

Just forgot 3 little differences beetween these 2 finals:

- TLS played these pick and go during the 4/5 last minutes (from the 77th to the 81th min), not the 20...
- They were leading at this moment by 10 pts, not 3.
- They were not only keeping the ball, but were also superior and going forward on rucks and mauls, wich allowed them to score the 78th min penalty.

Try to watch the full game, not only the "highlights"...

 

[alexrugby]

This is something like a black karma over the Clermont
Move to Final and lose it
what's the problem
As Zirakashvili scored try I was happy BECAUSE HE IS GEORGIAN :cheers:
I feel sorry for Clermont :blink: