You've been listening to too many naysayers in the media about Toulouse. Suddenly after 6 wins the same muppets that had us dead and buried are waxing lyrical about the club. We were on the verge of extinction only 2 months ago.
It's certainly nothing compared with les Bleus's decline.......
nah you can't call them muppets and no I wasn't listening to the media, couldn't care less what they'd say if I had my own opinion. I've been watching every single Toulouse game for at least the past year, and compared with their 2012 ***le form they'd been a joke lately and clearly on the decline this whole time til now. Nobody in the universe can deny that decline, all signs pointing towards it.
Having watched pro sports for a very long time now, it was looking very grim for Toulouse this season and I thought there may've been a chance they'd make the Top 6 but only through dragging themselves, putting in intense performances at home and squeezing out the occasional bonus point and maybe a laborious win away to some to-be-relegated club, and find a serendipitous spot in the final 6.
That was the plan for Toulouse having seen their decline in 2013. Then 2014 during the season. Then 2014 during both playoffs (nightmare of Munster and Racing). Then those 5 straight losses in a row that had everybody bringing up their record book and quoting numbers.
Now, we're looking at an all-conquering powerhouse on an unstoppable streak and whether they lose the next one is completely irrelevant because the fact is they've won 6 straight both fronts added and 4 straight in the Top 14 is nothing to snob off. For anyone, even Toulon or the league-leading Clermont. They've been strong at the breakdown, they've been
clinical seizing their chances, they've been scoring tries off more than individual brilliance, they've found a true and consistent attacking form, and they've been under real control for 80min each time...and all this with about the same formula, just upped about two levels, and the same flaws (scrum, McAlister at 10...) taking the risk of playing youngsters from the academy and guys who'd been written off (Harinordoquy, Clerc, Médard, Census J...), AND playing with major injuries, some long term.
It's nothing short of stunning. Completely unexpected for even the most optimistic spirit. And it feels really, really good.
Toulouse is back, and there's certainly reason to believe they can achieve something this year on the big stage in the playoffs.
Best atmosphere in a rugby stadium i've heard in the league just like last year, Bordeaux has got to be the best venue and their supporters the noisiest I've heard with Marcel Michellin. I'm glad I was there. The atmoshere was unbelievable. How sweet to ouscore them in the Try department!! I still think it wasn't a great selection from Noves but some were saying he is saving the best for later. It's going to get really tough after Xmas.
