Friday, June 27, 2008
Top 14 Final preview - Toulouse vs Clermont
Toulouse are still bearing the scars of their dramatic loss in the Heineken Cup, and have not won the French title in seven years. They will be as hungry as ever as they look to end the season on a high, with 80 vital minutes of rugby ahead that will determine if the season was a success or failure. Its as simple as that unfortunately.
Clermont themselves have struggled to capture the elusive title, having appeared in the final an incredible eight times, all of which were unsuccessful and were all narrow losses. A ninth time would be devastating for the loyal fans whove turned up to support their side with such vigour all season.
The two esteemed clubs have met three times previously in the final, first in 1994, then 1999, and then the last time Toulouse won the championship, in 2001. This season though, Clermont have had the measure of their rivals on two occasions, winning 21-17 in Clermont and 23-11 in Toulouse.
Some say Clermont should be favourites this time around because they come in fresher, both from having the extra rest day, and more importantly, after Toulouses long and exhausting European campaign.
If this season is anything to go by though, were sure to see a festival of running rugby with both teams filled with tremendous athletes and a high try scoring record.
This video is a nice little preview to the final, featuring some of the best moments from both teams this season. Some of the tries that have been scored are phenomenal, so lets hope we see more of the same in the final tomorrow. Predictions anyone, or too close to call?
:: Related Posts ::
Maxime Medard's sublime solo effort vs Bourgoin
Fijian flyer Napoleoni Nalaga's Top 10 Tries
Classic Encounters - All the drama from Toulouse vs Clermont
Aurilien Rougerie classy double vs Toulouse
Vincent Clerc finishes a great Toulouse try
Cedric Heymans magnificent solo try for Toulouse
Time:
03:24
Maxime Medard's sublime solo effort vs Bourgoin
Fijian flyer Napoleoni Nalaga's Top 10 Tries
Classic Encounters - All the drama from Toulouse vs Clermont
Aurilien Rougerie classy double vs Toulouse
Vincent Clerc finishes a great Toulouse try
Cedric Heymans magnificent solo try for Toulouse
Posted at 3:20 pm | 30 comments
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Viewing 30 comments
Eric June 27, 2008 1:41 pm
Great vid!Is it true that Elissalde is not playing? i read it somewere!!
Anonymous June 27, 2008 1:55 pm
That's correct. I just read on lequipe.fr that Elissalde is hurt and won't be there tomorrow.
Fan de Paris June 27, 2008 2:02 pm
Toulouse have too many injuries. Poitrenaud, Clerc, Elissalde, so many internationals. Clermont to win it - definitely.
Max June 27, 2008 2:07 pm
No way... Even with many injuries, Toulouse is going to win. Just look at medard.
David June 27, 2008 2:50 pm
Speaking as a welshman who greatly admires French rugby:Cedric Heymans.
Ben June 27, 2008 4:08 pm
Yeah but dont forget Rougerie, Nalaga, James, Mignoni, Ledesma...Elissalde, Nyanga, Clerc, Poitrenaud won't be there for Toulouse.Actually I support Toulouse, but I don't think they can win, Clermont is too strong this year...
TheFullback June 27, 2008 4:13 pm
Probably Clermont's year, although Toulouse are such a big-game team...far too close to call
Anonymous June 27, 2008 5:11 pm
Ellissalde is in the XV of toulouse.Noves is ridiculous...
Ben June 27, 2008 5:41 pm
Actually he's questionable for the game, since he managed to play 40 minutes against Perpignan with his injury, maybe he could play the final's first half, but nothing is sure at the moment.
Disco June 27, 2008 6:17 pm
Great vid and great choice of music; it really went perfectly in time with the action... good work!As for tomorrow; my money's on Clermont; they've choked too many times in finals and have led the T14 for nearly the entire season. Brock James is a master at 10 and Toulouse don't really have a fly half.I think we'll see a big scrap up front with Clermont doing their utmost to keep the ball out of the hands of the Toulouse back three as even without Poitrenaud and Clerc that video shows how dangerous players like Donguy, Medard and as everyone knows, Heymans, are.Aurlien Rougerie is a big game player who is fed up living in the shadow of the Toulouse back three and Saturday I can see him, Ledesma, Privat, Vermeulen and James coming to the fore to out-think the Toulousains.
Chazza June 27, 2008 6:39 pm
Clermont will clear the table, they are great nalaga will probably score in the second half to insure their win
Tim June 27, 2008 9:45 pm
Holy crap both teams have an incredible amount of individual challenge.
italianscrummy June 27, 2008 10:25 pm
It is too close to call....but I have a feeling about Toulose.....;)
Anonymous June 27, 2008 11:08 pm
Now they are reporting that Elissalde will play tomorrow.
Anonymous June 27, 2008 11:58 pm
why the hell isn't the Top 14 shown on Setanta? From the highlights I keep seeing it often looks even more entertaining than both the GP and Super 14 (both of which already highly entertaining).I really wish I could watch this game. Totally unsure who to root for as well.
Gareth June 28, 2008 12:48 am
Anonymous, a top 14 match is shown every friday night on eurosport 2 and they have a highlights programme on sunday mornings. You should be able to pick this up with if you can get Setanta.As for the weekend, I hope Clermont finally pull it off on win. Toulouse just have too many innjuries and Clermont have great strength in depth (Malzieu and Delasau not starting!)It will be good to see Clermont target the HC next year and give Munster a strong challenge in the group.
Ave88 June 28, 2008 9:44 am
I hope Toulouse wins it. I know how desperate Clermont are to finally get their first TOP 14 title after eight losses in a finale.. But Toulouse is just the most entertaining team to watch in the world.. after the crusaders. I am looking forward to see Heymans at his best.. And Maxime Medard, 22, seem just as good as Vincent Clerc.
Rob878 June 28, 2008 8:27 pm
What a game, a clear indication that it's not the laws of the game that require an over haul, but that the skill set of the players need an overhaul. Toulouse second try an awesome try,
Eric June 28, 2008 8:55 pm
Who won it??? I just got back from watching Argentina-Italy crappy game BTW... who is the top 14 champ??
Julie June 28, 2008 10:01 pm
Toulouse 26-20 Clermont !Tries by Servat and Mdard for Toulouse, Rougerie and Zirakachvili for Clermont.Great win by Toulouse !It was wonderful to see such hapiness !But it was also sad, to see Clermont's players crying (especially Rougerie, he looked as if he was going to kill someone...).Too bad for Clermont, but once again, great win by Toulouse !( Ps : I apologise in advance for any mistake I could I've made, my english is not perfect yet ^^ )
verge June 29, 2008 8:59 am
Unlucky John Smit. A move from the sharks with no silverware to another club with no silverwear
Arthur June 29, 2008 8:48 pm
Toulouse won the match after an excellent match!! All toulouse players were genious!! The french rugby grow up...
Xi.uk June 30, 2008 9:23 am
Great great video! The final was so nice! Toulouse deserved it! Ellisalde played with a rib injury! This guy is a pearl!
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