H Cup Final: ASM Clermont v RC Toulon

[ZeFrenchy]

No injuries on either side's first choice players. Clermont's starting XV could be recited from memory by anyone following them just a little bit by now. I really like that stability, though it's a shame not to see young french players like Buttin and Nakaitaci (cough, cough) on the bench.
For Toulon, it is surprising how Steffon Armitage went from being their most important player to a bench cover.

 

[gaston le gaff]

quote, For Toulon, it is surprising how Steffon Armitage went from being their most important player to a bench cover.

Toulon are playing their big players in the pack as they will not get any change from their backs as Clermont's are much slicker, they will try and take on Clermont upfront but even that may not be enough, Armitage will be on in the 2nd half sooner than later especially if Clermont have most of the ball and are winning the battle of the forwards.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I think it's just silly to give up the breakdown as Toulon seem to have. All three of Clermont's backrowers are quite strong there, with Vosloo being a specialist. And with Clermont's backs, turnover ball can be extremely dangerous.

 

[big ginger 8]

Psychic Duck you going to turn of your TV now RO'G is a pundit?

 

[big ginger 8]

That's a try.

Finally something interesting.


EDIT: And another try for Clermont. Wonderful try completely deserved.

EDIT, EDIT: And Toulon or back that wave was very dickish.

 

[Aristodemus]

Nice to see Sheridan and JW get a HC trophy, was a good game.

 

[big ginger 8]

A lot of sympathy for Clermont but well done Toulon.

#onemanpostingmachine.


EDIT: Damn you Aristodemus.

 

[Aristodemus]

I aim to please

 

[bertiec]

Brill well done, nail biting finish.

 

[lynam1104]

Clermont didn't close it out they had it just didn't cose it out, fair play to Toulon great defensive performance Armitage is a dick of the highest order.

 

[Big Ewis]

Mediocre first half. Three all at half. Things accelerated really fast during the second half, Toulon looked like they were powerless against Clermont's attack...
Lobbe man of the match for me, that turnover was brilliant, not easy to see, and kept his cool and pivoted to find Armittage for a straight run-in. The team stayed in the match, but he *won* the game for them.
Fk you Armittage for your taunting, makes one wish you'd somehow die of a heart-attack before making the try.

Wilkinson now with a RWC, a 6N GS and a HC. Played valiantly the whole way, always the right measure in kicking for territory, that one awesome touch, PERFECT at penalty boot, and omnipresent defensively. A great, great French international I'm happy England had the chance to experience all those years wearing white...
Happy for the gentle giant too...Mr. Sheridan. Another great frog-eating, wine-drinking epicurean.

 

[profitius]

Toulon didn't win it, Clermont lost it. Toulon are probably the least deserving team ever to win it.

 

[munstermuffin]

No team still to ever do 6/6 in pool and win HEC

 

[Saint Matt]

I think Wilkinson said it all in his interview. The spirit amongst the players, and the understanding between each other makes all the difference in games of this magnitude. There were times in that game where they were struggling, but they dug in there, worked hard for each other, and the results speak for themselves. If you have that in your squad, and you have the quality of player that Toulon possess, and you have the makings of a Champion team. Clermont had the chances to win that game, but if you are prepared to work hard for each other, you have the qualities needed to win big games. As a leader, and as a role model, there aren't to many out there better than Wilkinson. Inspirational doesn't come close.

 

[profitius]

Toulon scored 1 try in their last 3 games and that was the lucky one today. Its a bad day for rugby.

 

[munstermuffin]

In 1 part Im happy Wilkinson got the reward but kind of downhearted as Clermont deserve a HEC and remind me of Munster but they will have their day in sun

 

[lynam1104]

Clermont have now lost a QF a SF and now a Finale, for such a good team they lose the big games to offten.

 

[dullonien]

Clermont are still lacking a real general at 10. The Toulon try should never have been, because someone should of demanded the ball and hoofed it down field, instead they try to play in their own half, throwing it wide where they were short of numbers and a simple turnover (still great work by Lobbe) resulted in a canter to the line by Armitage. Brock James did some good things in this match, but he really needed to take control and make sure Clermont were playing in the right areas of the field to close the game out.

Having a gutless player in Skrela on the bench didn't help either. His attempted drop-goal was rubbish, and then he appeared to hide from taking another attempt after Clermont worked their way back into a position to attempt one, so they were forced wide again and Sivivatu throwing a forward pass.

Congrats to Toulon, and I'm happy for some of their players, but I would have much preferred Clermont to have won.

 

[Saint Matt]

Clermont have now lost a QF a SF and now a Finale, for such a good team they lose the big games to offten.

They lack that 'big game' mentality needed for me at times. Today was a perfect example in the fact that they were arguably the better team today, but they lacked that cutting edge to break Toulon down. That was the difference for me, and in games of this magnitude, that makes a huge difference. Mentally Toulon are far superior, and although Clermont played some great Rugby, they had the mental defiance to dig deep, and put there bodies on the line for each other. That special bond that Wilkinson eluded to was the difference in my opinion.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

While I don't like the way they play rugby, congrats to Toulon on wining the ***le. Bernard Laporte has moulded them into an excellent team. I can't see them backing up this success next season given the age profile of their team. The entire pack plus Wilkinson and Giteau are in their 30s. Palisson and Bastareaud are the only members of the starting XV under the age of 28.

It's nice to see a new name on the trophy even tough I would have preferred for that name to be ASM. They play proper attacking rugby.