Thursday, September 15, 2011
Classic Encounters - Toulouse vs Racing Metro
The Rugby World Cup is definitely the biggest thing happening on the world stage at the moment, but try telling that to French Top 14 supporters. They packed out Stade Municipal de Toulouse on the weekend for what turned out to be an absolute classic.
All Black outcast Luke McAlister has started a new chapter in his career with Toulouse, and by all accounts, its going swimmingly. The former Auckland Blues and Sales Sharks player guided his team to a brilliant 41-36 win over Racing Metro, with McAlister himself playing an integral role. He also kicked a 63m penalty.
A personal tally of 21 points and commanding flyhalf play led to Racing Metro's first defeat of the season. Tries were scored for Toulouse by captain Yannick Nyanga, Clement Pointrenaud, while Yannick Jauzion scored two.
While France are over in New Zealand looking to achieve their best ever World Cup result, a win, there are still a host of the highest quality of players plying their trade in the Top 14. And that's just the locals.
Nyanga, who himself was outstanding, was full of praise for McAlister, who wasn't included in an All Blacks squad jam-packed with talented backs. "Luke? He's a world class player," Nyanga said.
"At Stade, we've always had good fly-halves. We were very good there. He launches our game-plan perfectly and is always moving us forward. It's always easy to play with a 10 like that," he added.
Below are extended highlights of the match (playlist), coming to just under 20 minutes in total.
Posted at 4:15 pm | 14 comments
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Viewing 14 comments
Juggernauter September 15, 2011 10:46 pm
By the way, great tries
stroudos September 15, 2011 10:54 pm
Sound familiar??
moddeur September 15, 2011 11:35 pm
I'm glad MacAlister is having a great time. Living myself in Toulouse, I can tell you it's a fairly laid-back town. We don't have the sea or the ocean next door (you have to drive 1hr or 2hrs for the Mediterranean or the Atlantic), nor do we have mountains just around the corner (you have to drive 1hr to get to the Pyrénées, which you can see on a clear day - and once you pass those you'll land in Spain), but we have plenty of rugby-loving people with 68 licensed clubs around Toulouse (it's a record in France), and a quite lively town with lots of youths (about 110,000 students).
Carlos September 15, 2011 11:36 pm
In tense moments, he kinda shakes, i guess it not his time yet, maybe same for lambie.
mise September 16, 2011 1:36 am
Stefan September 16, 2011 3:26 am
Brilliant game, cracking highlights and maybe I should move to the south of France...
Frenchie September 16, 2011 6:16 am
Skrela is out of the WC due an injury, thanks God for the team. Sorry but that guy has been rubbish the whole preparation and the game vs Japan. Lievremont called on Doussain who played scrum half for Toulouse vs Racing Metro.
He's young, played the WC under 21 as a fly half which is the position he's been trained at. But i find him slow as a fly half and i don't think he is experienced enough to be thrown into the WC. I think Wisnieszki would have been better (although he seems injured), or Beauxis who has some experience at the international level.
Not sure about Fall. He had his chance with the French team but never produced anything really. We're fine there with Clerc, Palisson, Rougerie, Medard.
What do you think of France vs. Canada? This French team is beatable, Japan showed that, and the French could be in for a nasty/tight game.
Juggernauter September 16, 2011 12:57 pm
Bonnaire, Ouedraogo and Picamoles must be on top of their game to control the rucks and to stop guys like Riordan, Cudmore, O'Toole and van der Merwe from squeezing through the defence.
Also, the big centres picked by Livriemont (Mermoz and Marty) sure promises a physical midfield. All in all, I think it's gonna be a cracker, I hope Trinh - Duc plays really well, he's awesome to watch.
Oh, and what do you make of Livriemont insisting in picking Traille as a fullback? I think it's time to drop him, the same, for example, as Gordon D'Arcy.
Cheers
Frenchie September 16, 2011 6:36 am
donkeyballs4000 September 16, 2011 7:57 am
Flipje September 16, 2011 12:58 pm
I understand I should not judge on one game but: is Slade that better than McAlister?
Doussain playing at scrum half since end of last year for Toulouse replacing Skrela a fly half.....Well Lievremont remains consistent in his inconsistency....
The nightmare continues unfolding itself....
Guy September 16, 2011 7:58 pm
Gordon Ramsey coaching Racing Metro...
Anywhoooo...great game, great highlights, great French commentary.
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