Clermont Auvergne clinch a record-equalling third European Challenge Cup
Clermont Auvergne clinched a record-equalling third European Challenge Cup final victory by beating La Rochelle 36-16 at St James’ Park.
And Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw played a key role in the win by kicking 18 points.
Clermont matched Harlequins’ achievement of three Challenge Cup triumphs through a controlled display of forward power.
It resulted in tries for wing Damian Penaud, number eight Fritz Lee and centre Wesley Fofana, while Laidlaw added four penalties and three conversions, with Morgan Parra booting a penalty.
Fly-half Ihaia West kicked three penalties and a conversion of prop Uini Atonio’s try for La Rochelle.
But the first-time European finalists could have few complaints after being outgunned at key moments in front of an English record Challenge Cup final attendance of 28,438.
Clermont made all the early running, monopolising possession and almost going ahead after eight minutes when Penaud was freed in space, but he knocked on in his attempt to touch the ball down.
"It might not be the big one, but I'm telling you it feels absolutely incredible!"
2005 ?
2009 ?
2013 ?
2015 ?
2017 ?
2019 ?After losing in five European finals, Benjamin Kayser finally has a winners medal!
Look how much it means to him ? pic.twitter.com/f9q62WkY9s
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 10, 2019
The early exchanges were played at a breathless pace, and La Rochelle found themselves in a prolonged defensive rearguard as Clermont probed for space through fly-half Camille Lopez.
And his half-back partner Parra kicked Clermont into a 13th-minute lead when he found the target with a penalty from 30 metres.
But it was to be the France international’s last meaningful contribution, as he was forced off after suffering what appeared to be a serious ankle injury just four minutes later.
Parra was replaced by Scotland international Laidlaw, and he doubled Clermont’s advantage with a short-range penalty 10 minutes later.
? Clermont Auvergne ?
2019 #ChallengeCup champions ?
*Get well soon Morgan Parra! pic.twitter.com/OufyplIACl
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 10, 2019
A West penalty cut the deficit to round off a solid spell of La Rochelle pressure, but Clermont remained the dominant team entering the second quarter of a robust encounter.
And they finally breached La Rochelle’s defence 10 minutes before the break, when patient build-up play was rewarded through a fine finish by Penaud, before Laidlaw’s conversion opened up a 10-point lead.
A second West penalty cut the gap to 13-6 at the break, keeping his team in a game that Clermont had dominated.
West then had the first chance of the second half, but he saw an angled penalty strike bounce back off the post.
The New Zealander, though, made amends three minutes later, finding his range from 30 metres as La Rochelle edged closer towards their Top 14 rivals.
Another Laidlaw penalty reopened a seven-point edge for Clermont, yet La Rochelle remained firmly in the contest after recovering from a shaky opening to impose themselves on the contest.
But they were blown away by a 10-point burst in two minutes as Laidlaw kicked another penalty, then converted Lee’s try, which came after a relentless forward drive.
Atonio gave La Rochelle hope with his touchdown, but Clermont were not to be denied, and Fofana sealed the deal as they added further Challenge Cup silverware to their collection following successes in 1999 and 2007.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments