HC final 2013 - ASM Clermont Auvergne Vs RC Toulonnais - Teams announced etc

First topic message reminder :

I thought I would start a thread since teams are now announced. Appreciate this 100% french final might not draw loads of interest but it's still a game of rugby that will eventually decide who will be the next european top dog after years of Leinster dominance.

so here are the matchday 23 teams :

ASMCA :

15. Lee Byrne, 14. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13. Aurélien Rougerie, 12. Wesley Fofana, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 10. Brock James, 9. Morgan Parra, 1. Thomas Domingo, 2. Benjamin Kayser, 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Jamie Cudmore, 5. Nathan Hines, 6. Julien Bonnaire, 7. Gerhard Vosloo, 8. Damien Chouly

subs 16. Ti'i Paulo, 17. Vincent Debaty, 18. Clément Ric, 19. Julien Pierre, 20. Julien Bardy, 21. Ludovic Radoslavjevic , 22. David Skrela, 23. Regan King

RCT :

15. Delon Armitage, 14. Rudi Wulf, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Alexis Palisson, 10. Jonny Wilkinson, 9. Sébastien Tillous-Borde, 1. Andrew Sheridan, 2. Sebastien Bruno, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Nick Kennedy, 6. Danie Rossouw, 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Chris Masoe
subs : 16. Jean-Charles Orioli, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Joe van Niekerk, 20. Steffon Armitage, 21. Maxime Mermoz, 22. Frederic Michalak, 23. Jocelino Suta,

It seems that there is finally very little injuries and should the weather be nice, we shall hope for a good game of rugby.
Some interesting matchups and questions:
- Will Domingo manage to deal with Hayman power (pushed by Botha and Rossow!!).
- Who will shine between Fernandez-Lobbe and Bonnaire who are quite similar players in terms of class and ability (very smooth line out operators, not very powerful but very efficient in the rucks)
- Who between Fofana and Giteau will have the most space to express themselves?
- Will Wilkinson score more than 20 points?
- Can Palisson outpace sivivatu?
- Will Cudmore get the 1st yellow card?

Will Clermont be the first team to win the HC by winning every game?

They certainly deserve it so far, both in this game and the competition.

How is that still 3-3???

wales606 wrote:Will Clermont be the first team to win the HC by winning every game?

They certainly deserve it so far, both in this game and the competition.

Would it be Toulon to be the first team to win the HC without scoring a single try in the knockout stages???

Toulon are hanging in there. Disappointing game so far I have to say.

profitius wrote:Toulon are hanging in there. Disappointing game so far I have to say.

Eh???

It is fascinating, ferocious and on the cusp of explosion, both packs are more focused on the physical stuff right now but it really is exciting!!

profitius wrote:Toulon are hanging in there. Disappointing game so far I have to say.

I've enjoyed it. Clermont look much more threatening but they are struggling to get quick ruck ball because of Toulon's physicality at the breakdown. One try could be enough to win this....

profitius wrote:Toulon are hanging in there. Disappointing game so far I have to say.

I don't know what game are you watching, it can't be this one.

That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

wales606 wrote:That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

Rougerie is getting the plaudits there but all he's really done is takent he ball in space and made the pass, James and Nalaga were excellent.

Cleremont stung though, you make a half mistake and Toulon are back in touch!

Brock James again making Rougerie look top class!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

Rougerie is getting the plaudits there but all he's really done is takent he ball in space and made the pass, James and Nalaga were excellent.

Cleremont stung though, you make a half mistake and Toulon are back in touch!

Rougerie drew in two players, shifted the fullback and made the offload - not many could have done that to give Nalanga that space

Also Rougerie just did that!

Clertmont now reaping the reward for playing all the rugby - and playing at pace pace.

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

Rougerie is getting the plaudits there but all he's really done is takent he ball in space and made the pass, James and Nalaga were excellent.

Cleremont stung though, you make a half mistake and Toulon are back in touch!

Rougerie drew in two players, shifted the fullback and made the offload - not many could have done that to give Nalanga that space

Also Rougerie just did that!

Rougerie outpaced a 6, and passed before the wing made the tackle... the FB was making the cover tackle on Nalaga!!! Rougerie literally took the ball and then passed it!

Jenkins, Armitage and Van niekerk off the bench

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

Rougerie is getting the plaudits there but all he's really done is takent he ball in space and made the pass, James and Nalaga were excellent.

Cleremont stung though, you make a half mistake and Toulon are back in touch!

Rougerie drew in two players, shifted the fullback and made the offload - not many could have done that to give Nalanga that space

Also Rougerie just did that!

Rougerie outpaced a 6, and passed before the wing made the tackle... the FB was making the cover tackle on Nalaga!!! Rougerie literally took the ball and then passed it!

No 9 covered to try to make the tackle

Game over I think .....

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:

wales606 wrote:That is why they wanted Rougerie fit!

Class finishing as ever by Nalaga

Rougerie is getting the plaudits there but all he's really done is takent he ball in space and made the pass, James and Nalaga were excellent.

Cleremont stung though, you make a half mistake and Toulon are back in touch!

Rougerie drew in two players, shifted the fullback and made the offload - not many could have done that to give Nalanga that space

Also Rougerie just did that!

Rougerie outpaced a 6, and passed before the wing made the tackle... the FB was making the cover tackle on Nalaga!!! Rougerie literally took the ball and then passed it!

No 9 covered to try to make the tackle

9 missed the tackle near the touch, Armitage was the cover tackle at the flag, meaning he wasn't drawn in anywaher

thebluesmancometh wrote:Jenkins, Armitage and Van niekerk off the bench

Not yet

wales606 wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:Jenkins, Armitage and Van niekerk off the bench

Not yet

Ye, but they are there, and that is some impact... Not sure what Michalak can do from 9 with Jonny outside him, don't see the thinking behind that sub so early!!

But then I would be panicing by now and emptying my benchon the 60th minute mark for total rugby

oooo to touch...?

TJ wrote:Clertmont now reaping the reward for playing all the rugby - and playing at pace pace.

I think that's being a bit harsh on Toulon. True in the second half, principally due to the ammount of possession Clermont have won themselves. In the first half Toulon might still have been second best, but they showed good intent whenever they had the ball.

Some Michalak quick thinking could close it to a one score lead

gelodge wrote:

TJ wrote:Clertmont now reaping the reward for playing all the rugby - and playing at pace pace.

I think that's being a bit harsh on Toulon. True in the second half, principally due to the ammount of possession Clermont have won themselves. In the first half Toulon might still have been second best, but they showed good intent whenever they had the ball.

Toulon haven't exactly looked like scoring a try, they have barely been in the Clermont 22

Gethin is on

Holey schmoley!

Jammy gits

Toulon could take the lead completely against the run of play

Armitage waves to Brock James on the way past...

I can only hope James gets the chance to win the game while waving back, what a ****!!!

Don't much care for Armatige's cocky pre try theatrics

15 - 16

Armitage is a funny guy.

GLove39 wrote:Don't much care for Armatige's cocky pre try theatrics

Hope James flattens him

wales606 wrote:

gelodge wrote:

TJ wrote:Clertmont now reaping the reward for playing all the rugby - and playing at pace pace.

I think that's being a bit harsh on Toulon. True in the second half, principally due to the ammount of possession Clermont have won themselves. In the first half Toulon might still have been second best, but they showed good intent whenever they had the ball.

Toulon haven't exactly looked like scoring a try, they have barely been in the Clermont 22

Not having been able to get into the opposition red zone is not the same as not having played attacking rugby. Like I said, they were still second best in the first half, but they were giving it a go, just being denied by a superior CA.

Armitage is such a douche!!! Never seen such nobbish behaviour.

Annoyed by Armitage - complete lack of class. He also did that cheap shot shoulder barge on Parra. He has always had that part to his game and that is why he won't return to the international team (apart from playing in France).

Rolland must have penalised the attacking team more that the defense so far

Rolland has made a pigs ear of the breakdown, surely that should be a penalty to Clermont.

which of Gethin or Lee do the Welsh want to win?

What a great game. This tournament is fantastic.

maestegmafia wrote:What a great game. This tournament is fantastic.

+1

Time to put the red and black ribbons on the trophy....

Cannot believe they knocked on again...

Cant believe Toulon is winning

Drop goal time!

Surely the final whistle has gone?

Skrela you bum!

Give it to ROG!

Ahhhhh what a botch up!

Well done Toulon! Clermont will be sickened!

Could someone tell me how the Smeg Clermont managed to throw that game away???? Flukiest HEC win ever.

Damn!!! Looks like you can buy the HC

ASM will be heartbroken. Even more so than last year