Top 14 Day 6

[FrenchFan]

there was a general brawl during the play that lead to Toulon's first (second ?) try. Taofi was standing on his side of the ruck and tried to intervene in Brive's ruck with his foot on the ball, some Brivistes put him down and Marais stuck his forearm to Taofi's throat...I was completely against the decision.
Heartbreaking for Brive. They looked absolutely dismayed towards the end...for Toulon, another win on the road, a whole 5 points, and their back line on FIRE, good signs for them being so clinical red card or no red card. Their intrinsic form today was very reassuring, and intimidating for all of France.
I really thought we had a game when Brive came back just at the end of HT, after the 7 and then Germain's 53 meter penalty...but nope. Absolute nightmare. Injuries, sad faces, destroyed at home..."very embarrassing" said captain Mela.

On a more personal sentiment, James O'Connor will really be missed when he's gone. I'd underestimated just how good a back he was and what he brought to a team. And I'm still just as confused about whether I'm attracted to hi...her...well...'it', or not. That just won't go away, and is quite bothering tbh.

O'Connor is an exceptional back. He'll be back after the World Cup. The show will go on...

 

[FrenchFan]

AND, more importantly, another greatly profound signature...country is for support towards the Pumas during this TRC.



Why the FUCQK would you play winger Huget at FB and FB Médard on the wing ??... hope this is a mistake.

Huget is a FB turned wing. He is a great full FB. However what is Tekori doing as No8?? Very odd pick. Tekori is not an 8. when they have Galan and Maka who are 2 real 8 and in form.

 

[Tony Manx]

Huget is a FB turned wing. He is a great full FB. However what is Tekori doing as No8?? Very odd pick. Tekori is not an 8. when they have Galan and Maka who are 2 real 8 and in form.

Interesting that Greenwood and Sky were saying Noves position under threat!

 

[FrenchFan]

Interesting that Greenwood and Sky were saying Noves position under threat!

they must know something that we don't

 

[FrenchFan]

Blimey BE..........new photo and a new country......!!!

yeah i didn't know they had such good looking rugby players from Toulouse in Argentina ..:lol:

 

[Big Ewis]

and for the rest of Europe...are you going to support them now you're in back in le Var? Don't listen to all the BS about Boudjellal in the media. It's just cannon fodder for the embittered socialist wankkers.

yes for sure but I didn't want to sound arrogant Well like I said Toulouse ideologically, Toulon geographically, but the team I've grown to appreciate really for what they are is Castres. I know that'll make you frown, Toulousain that you are, but for a number of reasons I really do like the C.O. a lot. And trust me, I know what Boudjellal's noise is !

O'Connor is an exceptional back. He'll be back after the World Cup. The show will go on...

actually, that's not a bad bet. I'd say there's a very good chance he'd return in ze hexagon, doesn't seem like a very grounded boy, and playing for country doesn't seem sacred to him.

Huget is a FB turned wing. He is a great full FB. However what is Tekori doing as No8?? Very odd pick. Tekori is not an 8. when they have Galan and Maka who are 2 real 8 and in form.

right, but Huget is now a specialist winger, whether he *can* play fullback, albeit well, isn't the pb. Very weird pick, not like Médard isn't producing at FB...Tekori on the other hand is experimental but interesting at least, he'll bring good carrying and tons of power. I don't understand on the other hand Noves' reluctance to play Maka, yeah he's young but he breaks the first tackle, beats defenders and provides go forward ball with his 500kg consistently. Especially now that the ogre Picamoles is out of the rotation, just play the damn kid ! Plus he's a pure Toulouse product, use him ffs.

Anyways this match is more of a test for a number of Toulousains for me rather than a test for the team as far as I'm interested. They're going to lose easily in Francilien territory, not a fascinating prospect...but Fickou has yet to really blossom since the U20 days, he shows glimpses but nothing conclusive as to where he stands - veterans Fritz, Dusau, Nyanga, Clerc need to show where they're at. Huget we almost haven't seen all year long, about time he made the highlights. And off the bench, Doussain will be anticipated. What with all the positional shifting, we're not sure if he's a no.8 or a 9 or 10.

Racing look absolutely gorgeous from 1 to 15 though, with the exception of Dambielle who's good though but can't kick from the tee too well. The XV is all-French and Saffer, that's it. Nice mix. A purely 100% French backline from 9 to 15.
Toulouse are going to get smashed in the scrum again, will suffer with their attacking, and I bet will concede an easy try or two: this Racing backline is very attack-minded, look at the back three. PACE.

 

[gaston le gaff]

As far as the Marais red card goes he came into the ruck connected with a swinging arm then there was the forearm smash to the throat so really when you see all that on the screen the ref did not have a lot of choice, red was the right choice silly!!!!!

And of course Gaston's Predicktions, start the weekend at 100% although there were suggestions from others that Toulon could lose!!!!! But Gaston was having non of that.!!!!!!! Tomas and Doumayrou, 2 ex Montpellerians in the line up for Stade tonight. interesting and no FTD....

Toulon did screw up last night bringing on Bastarastous on 55mins when they were playing against 14, if they waited another 6 mins the game would not have counted in his 30 game max for this season, will do better next time said Bernie le Bolt!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheSaffycen]

A point on Tekori at 8, how do you think it effects Galan and Maka ? It must be a bit disheartening when Picamoles gets crocked that they play a second row out of place. Galan would walk into most teams and he probably wont put up with this for too long *cough* join sarries *cough*

 

[gaston le gaff]

Tekori's days at 8 are over they were over when he left Castres, but as lock an excellent player especially ball in hand, Galan and Maka will still get good game time but at the moment i think Noves is under enormous pressure regarding results etc and maybe they are soul searching a little and that can be dangerous, but can't see either wearinga Sarries shirt just yet, we gave you Hamilton and Chippie Figallo, thats enough for the moment i think!!!!

 

[TheSaffycen]

Give us Ranger, Nagusa and Trinh-Duc then that's enough. Also I see Trinh Duc is being rested and the young guy is getting played, quite a big game as well.

 

[gaston le gaff]

ankle injury but its not serious and he needs a break as he has played every game, was supposed to not play last week but Enzo got injured playing for the Espoirs so he had to play, and also the 30 game max has also got be managed well, and at the moment no one knows who will play the Autumn Internationals and the following 6 Nations so taking all that into consideration not easy to negociate.
You may ask Santa for the other 3 but you will have to ask really nicely and maybe bung him a few spondoolies (sorry loads) on top!!!!!

 

[FrenchFan]

A point on Tekori at 8, how do you think it effects Galan and Maka ? It must be a bit disheartening when Picamoles gets crocked that they play a second row out of place. Galan would walk into most teams and he probably wont put up with this for too long *cough* join sarries *cough*

ah ah nice try ....it must be frustrating for both I'd imagine. They're out and out 8 and Tekori is 2nd row. I don't get Noves trust in Tekori who didn't deliver last season. He is too slow at 8 and won't give us the gas we need off the scrum. Galan is in great shape physicall and the most technical of our 8. Maka is still only 21 and scored a good try agst Brive. Can't see what Noves is playing at.

 

[Big Ewis]

A point on Tekori at 8, how do you think it effects Galan and Maka ? It must be a bit disheartening when Picamoles gets crocked that they play a second row out of place. Galan would walk into most teams and he probably wont put up with this for too long *cough* join sarries *cough*

Give us Ranger, Nagusa and Trinh-Duc then that's enough. Also I see Trinh Duc is being rested and the young guy is getting played, quite a big game as well.

lool...I mean HEYYYY !!!!!!!!! OI YOU THERE !! STOP VIRTUAL SHOPPING HERE !!! GET OUT, COME ON, SCRAM !!!
About Noves and selection/rotation: I wouldn't read too much into his picks or anything these days...

 

[Big Ewis]

anybody watchin R92 TLS ? Man, Claassen what a biiiig mouth, unbelievable !!! EVERY game with the ref !

 

[Tony Manx]

anybody watchin R92 TLS ? Man, Claassen what a biiiig mouth, unbelievable !!! EVERY game with the ref !

Final score Racing 27 - 16 Toulouse.....................another nail in the coffin for Noves?!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Final score Racing 27 - 16 Toulouse.....................another nail in the coffin for Noves?!!

what I saw was A Toulouse pack overtaken by the Racing one on almost all facets. A febrile Toulouse attack, as usual. They've yet to pull off their good attacking form from last year (one exception maybe the Castres game). Flood wasn't bad but wasn't a maestro either. Racing with a heads-down, straight forward win. Nothing fancy, well done. In fact I thought before the game Racing would win with the bonus, but didn't reveal that on here to be safe.
Toulouse hadn't lost 3 in a row in 35 years, make it 4 today. Gonna be a long season for Toulouse. I don't expect anything out of them on either front this season.
Another nail in the coffin for Novès ? No, not for me, he's been buried for long already. This is just his afterlife we've been living for a while now.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wowi am so good at predicting games.

 

[Tony Manx]

If flood start Toulouse to win by 20 points.If he doesn't they will lose by 20 points.You heard it here first. and last

Wowi am so good at predicting games.

Presume that must be a good example of irony........and I thought only BE did that?!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

don't think I ever saw such bad defense of a maul in the Top 14 before on that second Racing maul score...the Toulousains just look lethargic and like they couldn't care less at times. Like, they're paid to do this, so have to at least look like they're doing it, but that's the extent of it.

 

[Tony Manx]

Attritional game with MHL getting the best by making fewer mistakes. Guess the huge number of changes to both sides accounts for that. 16-0 at half time and Silpani is really up to Top 14 class and one for the future even if FTD is not for St Andre at the moment!!!