La Rochelle scored with the final play of the game to secure a historic and momentous victory over Toulon in the Top 14 this weekend. Watch the emotional last few minutes that show just what this triumph meant to all involved in the home side’s setup.
With 5 minutes left on the clock, La Rochelle were camped deep inside the visiting side’s 22, aware that a famous victory was within their grasp if they could find a try right at the death.
Toulon absorbed wave after wave of black shirted attack, but their ill-discipline would cost them dear as mammoth Georgian Number 8, Mamuka Gorgodze, was sin-binned for collapsing a driving maul with under 2 minutes remaining on the clock.
The resulting scrum didn’t go the way the home side hoped however, and after gathering lose ball they found themselves back on the Toulon 22 having to scramble and try to reorganise.
With his desire and emotions overpowering his composure, La Rochelle coach Patrice Collazo, could be heard caterwauling from the touchlines as Toulon infringed once again.
Having collected the lineout, La Rochelle didn’t bother to put a single player in their backline, instead opting to use every ounce of power available to them to drive their way to the whitewash, in their final efforts to defeat the Top 14 and European champions.
Moments later, centre Malietoa Hingano picked from the base of the ruck and twisted and turned his way through the desperate Toulon defence to find the tryline.
It was clear just what the result meant to all involved with the home club, as the players, coaches and supporters were catapulted into unbridled joy, Collazo himself appeared to shed a few tears as the realisation of their accomplishment began to sink in.
Congratulations to La Rochelle, as their victory moves them up to 9th in the Top 14 table.
Head to the Related Posts or our See it to Believe it archives for more jaw-dropping rugby.
credit: Boucherie Ovalie
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