<a href="https://www.archyde.com/top-14-toulouse-is-still-breaking-its-teeth-in-clermont/" title="Top 14: Toulouse is still breaking its teeth in Clermont”>Stade Toulousain, the two-time defending champion, has already taken the lead in the Top 14 thanks to its victory against La Rochelle (35-27), which resisted it for a long time on Sunday at the end of the 2nd day.
Toulouse is the only team along with Lyon to have started the season with two wins, but first place in the standings is theirs thanks to the offensive bonus point they won last weekend from Vannes (43-18).
An opponent of another calibre appeared at the Ernest-Wallon stadium, but Stade Rochelais, as every time in recent years in the matches that count, once again suffered the law of its black (and red) beast.
The Toulousains extended their unbeaten run at home in the championship to 33 matches (31 wins, 2 draws), which the Maritimes had already seriously threatened at the beginning of June (31-31).
La Rochelle took advantage of the sterile occupation of Ugo Mola’s men, who were too clumsy, to score the first try of the match, following a great breakthrough by Ulupano Seuteni concluded by Teddy Thomas (19th), replaced in the center in the absence of Jonathan Danty, victim of a concussion.
Under the eyes of their scrum-half and Olympic champion Antoine Dupont, celebrated the day before in Paris, the European champions from Toulouse quickly reacted with two tries in quick succession from Tongan centre Pita Ahki (23rd) and international second row Thibaud Flament (26th).
Toulouse center Pierre-Louis Barassi (center) facing La Rochelle, September 15, 2024 at the Ernest Wallon stadium / Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
Their wide territorial domination was rewarded with a third try, from the powerful centre Pierre-Louis Barassi (40th) just before the break, during which the La Rochelle manager Ronan O’Gara changed everything.
The Irishman replaced six of his eight forwards in one go, with only third rows Grégory Alldritt and Judicaël Cancoriet surviving this large early turnover.
It bore fruit at first as his men took the lead thanks to a try from one of the entrants, pillar Aleksandre Kuntelia (51st), and the second staff from Thomas, after a new breakthrough from Seuteni (56th, 25-27).
But like in the semi-final last season (two red cards), they paid for their indiscipline and the yellow card of their Australian giant Will Skelton.
His opposite number Emmanuel Meafou, of the same calibre, scored in his absence on a touchline combination (68th) and gave his team some breathing space in a tense end to the match.
The Toulousains, winners without being flamboyant, honoured until the end the memory of the young Medhi Narjissi, a player from their training centre who tragically disappeared at sea during the summer, to whom a heartbreaking tribute was paid just before kick-off.
– How did Toulouse secure their victory over La Rochelle in the Top 14 match?
Table of Contents
Toulouse Takes the Lead in Top 14 with Victory Over La Rochelle
The reigning champions, Stade Toulousain, have already taken the top spot in the Top 14 standings after securing a thrilling 35-27 victory over La Rochelle at the Ernest-Wallon stadium on Sunday. This marks their second consecutive win of the season, with the team’s offensive bonus point against Vannes (43-18) last weekend propelling them to the top of the leaderboard.
Toulouse is currently the only team, alongside Lyon, to have started the season with two wins. However, it’s their impressive performance against La Rochelle that has earned them first place in the standings. The team’s unbeaten run at home in the championship now extends to 33 matches, with an impressive record of 31 wins and 2 draws.
La Rochelle, on the other hand, put up a valiant effort, resisting Toulouse’s dominance for a significant portion of the match. The visitors took advantage of Toulouse’s early clumsiness to score the first try of the match, courtesy of Ulupano Seuteni’s breakthrough and Teddy Thomas’s finish (19th). However, the European champions from Toulouse were quick to react, scoring two tries in quick succession through Tongan centre Pita Ahki (23rd) and international second row Thibaud Flament (26th).
TheIrishman replaced six of his eight forwards in one go, with only third rows Grégory Alldritt and Judicaël Cancoriet surviving this large early turnover. This bold move bore fruit initially, with La Rochelle taking the lead thanks to a try from Aleksandre Kuntelia (51st) and Thomas’s second staff (56th), following another breakthrough from Seuteni.
However, Toulouse’s territorial domination eventually paid off, with the team scoring a third try through powerful centre Pierre-Louis Barassi (40th) just before the break. The defending champions continued to apply pressure in the second half, ultimately securing the win and cementing their position at the top of the standings.
Toulouse’s Unbeaten Run Continues
Toulouse’s unbeaten run at home in the championship is a testament to the team’s strength and resilience. Their 33-match unbeaten streak, which includes 31 wins and 2 draws, is a remarkable achievement that showcases their ability to perform under pressure.
La Rochelle’s Brave Effort
While La Rochelle ultimately fell short, their brave effort against the reigning champions cannot be overstated. The team’s ability to resist Toulouse’s dominance for a significant portion of the match demonstrates their growth and development as a competitive force in the Top 14.
Key Player Performances
Several players stood out in this intense clash, including Toulouse’s Pita Ahki, Thibaud Flament, and Pierre-Louis Barassi, who all scored crucial tries for their team. La Rochelle’s Ulupano Seuteni and Teddy Thomas also impressed with their breakthroughs and tries.
What’s Next for Toulouse and La Rochelle?
As the Top 14 season continues, both Toulouse and La Rochelle will be looking to build on their performances. Toulouse will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run and extend their lead at the top of the standings, while La Rochelle will be seeking to bounce back from this defeat and secure crucial wins in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Toulouse’s victory over La Rochelle marks a significant milestone in the Top 14 season, with the defending champions taking the lead and cementing their position as one of the top teams in the competition. While La Rochelle’s brave effort ultimately fell short, their performance demonstrates their growth and development as a competitive force in the Top 14. As the season continues, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and secure crucial wins in the coming weeks.
Keyword Tags:
Stade Toulousain
Top 14
La Rochelle
Toulouse
Rugby
Championship
Unbeaten run
Victory
Defending champions
European champions
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Toulouse takes the lead in the Top 14 with a thrilling 35-27 victory over La Rochelle, extending their unbeaten run at home in the championship to 33 matches. Read more about this intense clash and what’s next for both teams.
– What were the key factors that led to Toulouse’s victory over La Rochelle in the Top 14 match?
Toulouse Takes the Lead in Top 14 with Victory Over La Rochelle
The reigning champions, Stade Toulousain, have already taken the top spot in the Top 14 standings after securing a hard-fought 35-27 victory over La Rochelle at the Ernest-Wallon stadium on Sunday. This marks the second win of the season for Toulouse, who have extended their unbeaten run at home in the championship to 33 matches.
The match was intense, with La Rochelle putting up a strong resistance against the two-time defending champions. However, Toulouse’s wide territorial domination and swift reactions to La Rochelle’s challenges ultimately sealed their victory.
The match began with La Rochelle taking advantage of Toulouse’s clumsy play to score the first try, courtesy of Ulupano Seuteni’s breakthrough and Teddy Thomas’s finish. However, Toulouse quickly responded with two tries in quick succession from Tongan centre Pita Ahki and international second row Thibaud Flament.
Toulouse continued to dominate the match, with a third try from powerful centre Pierre-Louis Barassi just before the break. La Rochelle attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, with tries from Aleksandre Kuntelia and Teddy Thomas, but Toulouse’s solid defense and strategic plays ultimately kept them at bay.
La Rochelle’s indiscipline, including a yellow card for their Australian giant Will Skelton, proved costly, and Toulouse took advantage of the opportunity to extend their lead. Emmanuel Meafou’s try on a touchline combination in the 68th minute gave Toulouse some breathing space in a tense end to the match.
Toulouse emerged victorious, honoring the memory of the young Medhi Narjissi, a player from their training centre who tragically disappeared at sea during the summer. The win marks a strong start to the season for Toulouse, who will look to build on this momentum in the coming weeks.
About Toulouse
Toulouse, the capital of Occitania, is a vibrant city in southwest France known for its warm, spontaneous, and passionate atmosphere [[2]]. With a rich history spanning over 2000 years, the city has a unique cultural heritage that is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Located on the Garonne River, Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France, with a metropolitan population of almost 1.5 million people [[1]].
As the chief city of Haute-Garonne, Toulouse has a strong sense of community and identity, which is evident in its passionate support for its rugby team, Stade Toulousain. With a long history of success in the sport, Toulouse has become a hub for rugby enthusiasts and a force to be reckoned with in the Top 14 championship.
How did Toulouse secure their victory over La Rochelle in the Top 14 match?
Toulouse secured their victory over La Rochelle through a combination of solid defense, swift reactions, and strategic plays. Their wide territorial domination and ability to capitalize on La Rochelle’s mistakes ultimately gave them the edge they needed to take the top spot in the Top 14 standings.
The Toulousains’ strong performance in the match was marked by their ability to adapt to La Rochelle’s challenges and respond quickly to their opponents’ tries. Their solid defense and ability to prevent La Rochelle from gaining momentum proved crucial as they emerged victorious in a tense and closely contested match.
