This shock of the 11th day of Top 14 symbolized much more than a simple rugby match.
The Stade Français and the RCT, the two emblematic former clubs of Christophe Dominici who died ten days ago, were keen to pay tribute to him.
They did it, before the match first by respecting a touching kitten of silence, then on the meadow by offering a nice playful part.
In the absence of his opener Louis Carbonel, left to face the English at Twickenham with the Blues, Baptiste Serin had the heavy task of holding the post of opener for the Toulonais. And he did it pretty well!
However, despite two tests entered by the former Parisian Sergio Parisse (25th) and Tolofua (36th), Toulon fell on Parisian soil.
Toulon can blame himself
Well led by their young opener Joris Segonds, the Parisians resisted late in the game to win.
The Toulonnais may regret the last moments of the meeting and the lack of discipline of his All Black Ma’a Nonu. Then led by a small point (24-23), the RCT chained the playing time, trying to break the Parisian lock, when the former world champion began to rail on arbitration. Mathieu Raynal then sanctioned the latter with a penalty, offering a breath of fresh air to the locals. The score was no longer moving.
Paris avoided another disappointment in money time as in Lyon last week. The men of Gonzalo Quesada connects a fourth success to Jean Bouin.
If Toulon only leaves with the defensive bonus, he has proven that he will be a serious candidate for the Shield next June.
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The match sheet
In Paris (Jean-Bouin stadium), the Stade Français beats Toulon 24 to 23 (half-time 11-17)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Dots :
Stade Français: 2 tries Etien (15th), Latu (45th), 1 transformation Segonds (45th), 1 drop Segonds (20th), 3 penalties Segonds (30th, 60th, 69th)
Toulon: 2 tries Parisse (23rd), C. Tolofua (36th), 2 Serin transformations (23rd, 36th), 3 Serin penalties (10th, 50th, 65th)
The teams
Stade Français: Hamdaoui (Veainu 61e) – Naivalu, Fickou, Delbouis (Lapègue 76e), Etien – (o) Segonds, (m) Coville (Hall 61e) – Grobler, T. Gray (Francoz 76e), Burban – Gabrillagues, De Giovanni (Azagoh 76th) – P. Alo-Emile (cap.), Latu (Da Silva 48th), Bethune (Kakovin 31st)
Toulon: Paia’aua – Moretti, Dachary (Ory 74e), Nonu, Dridi (Robert 74e) – (o) Serin, (m) Takulua – R. Lakafia (cap., Hoarau 62e)), Parisse, Ory (Dakuwaqa 58e ) – R. Taofifenua (Alainu’uese 52e), Etzebeth (Jolmes 58e) – Setiano (Tchelidze 62e), C. Tolofua (Soury 62e), Gros (Devaux 62e)
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