Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Young hooker Christopher Tolofua demolishes fullback Juan Imoff
Toulouse have found an up and coming star in the form of 18 year old hooker Christopher Tolofua. He featured strongly in their 19-13 win over Racing Metro on the weekend, with two big carries in particular in what was his first Top 14 start.
The French giants suffered a hooker crisis recently as Gary Botha is out with a long term leg injury, while William Servat will be unavailable because of the Six Nations. Their cover, Georgian hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze then ruptured his groin, so he will sit out for 6 months.
They've since brought in another Georgian hooker, Jaba Bregvadze, but Guy Noves has turned to young Tolofua, and so far it's proved a success. He had a storming game against Racing Metro, including two big carries (one which was huge) and seems to be slotting in nicely.
"He's managed the last fortnight," Noves told a French newspaper. "He was looked after by the old guys, especially Johnston, who took him under his wing. But he's got physically enormous density.
"We knew he had potential. You hope for a performance like that but until they play, you never know. He's got a great future. That's why we're keeping him," he added.
Tolofua, who only turned 18 a month ago, is already part of the French academy and could possibly go on to be a permanent fixture for the national side in years to come. His standing start charge on unfortunate Argentinian fullback Juan Imoff is one of the biggest collisions we've seen this season.
Imoff left the field two minutes later. Tolofua had another impressive carry earlier in the game, as did Racing Metro center Francois Steyn, so those two have also been included in the clip below.
Posted at 11:21 am | 31 comments
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Posted in See it to Believe it
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Viewing 31 comments
Citing Commissioner January 31, 2012 1:48 pm
stroudos January 31, 2012 2:54 pm
Michael Aussiedude January 31, 2012 1:56 pm
Colombes January 31, 2012 2:33 pm
he is part of a top14 players colony from wallis&futuna as yann david, ali fakate, lakafia who will be very soon in the french XV
Tinoup January 31, 2012 11:40 pm
stroudos January 31, 2012 2:52 pm
stroudos January 31, 2012 2:59 pm
Very nice run from Steyn too, shame about spilling the ball at the end, unlike young Christopher. Particularly enjoyed his soft pass in the Imhoff scene - in fact, it looks like it was only when a non-front-row player got involved that the move went to shit...
bnations January 31, 2012 7:12 pm
Sam January 31, 2012 3:25 pm
Fettsack January 31, 2012 4:25 pm
He's also got years ahead of him to improve, we'll need to keep an eye on him.
bnations January 31, 2012 7:11 pm
Now, when Tolofua bowled over the prop in the first hit; well, that was impressive. And that prop was using good form as well.
Frenchie January 31, 2012 7:21 pm
Indeed it's not the best tackling technic here from Imoff...
Frenchie January 31, 2012 7:25 pm
Toulouse/Noves are so good bringing on young talent, year after year.
Frenchie January 31, 2012 7:40 pm
http://www.lerugbynistere.fr/videos/le-carton-rouge-de-yoann-huget-contre-toulon-3101121541.php
The touch line calls on the ref and tells him Huget headbut the Toulon winger. The images show that Huget didn't actually touch his opponent.
Is a red card there harsh? I really don't know...
Anyway it seems that the officials penalize the intention the same way as a "proper" headbut.
Huget said he only came to separate the guys but flipped out after being provoked by the Toulon winger.
stroudos February 01, 2012 2:34 pm
By the way, did I understand the commentary correctly? As the fight developed I thought I heard "il continue, ce pas de deux" - like ballet dancing?? Is this the French equivalent of English "handbags"? Very nice expression if it is, almost up there with Bill McLaren's "they're just exchanging telephone numbers"...
Rico76 February 01, 2012 8:36 pm
Tobbser January 31, 2012 11:14 pm
Mit tiefen Grüßen Tobbser
La Foudge February 01, 2012 4:23 am
ChairmanRice February 01, 2012 10:13 am
Maximus February 01, 2012 11:47 am
As for Huget, he seems to be more than unlucky: 3 unnecessary punches after the whistle (even if there is a late tackle) by Bastareaud turn into a yellow and an air headbut (after stupid bickering) in a brawl by Huget equals red? I mean, Lapeyre didn't even flinch.The refs should have the right to call TMO for this.
Rico76 February 01, 2012 8:42 pm
Great to see Tolofua (18) and Galan (20) stepping up while the first choices are with the French squad. Future looks bright (and heavy!) for Toulouse.
Iscoredonce February 01, 2012 10:23 pm
koxmoz kox February 03, 2012 11:30 am
imoff don´t have time to try a low tackle and eat that, i think in another circumstances it had been different·!·!·!·!·
Federico February 03, 2012 6:31 pm
Sankeor February 05, 2012 3:58 am
But now I'm thinking more and more that Imoff was already off balance (on his heels) before the hit and not prepared at all for it (or maybe am I just looking for simple explanations). But still, amazing ! I'm trying to picture what it would have been with more speed and a lighter opponent.
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