1
Watch: Scenes of jubilation as Toulouse become Europe's giant-killers
Is this the re-birth of Toulouse as a superpower of Europe?
ADVERTISEMENT
The four-time champions knocked off the biggest scalp so far in this year’s tournament, taking down current champions Leinster by a point in front of a full house at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
Toulouse. Are. Back! ?
A monumental effort, a monumental win!
Sensational scenes at the full-time whistle as the champions have been defeated! ? pic.twitter.com/QxyjElM1sf
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 21, 2018
The 28-27 win was built off the back of uncompromising defence and scores against the run of play to unsettle Leinster, never allowing them to get into a rhythm.
The home side built an early 14-0 lead but Leinster quickly found their way back, closing the gap to 14-13 before Toulouse scored a stunning strike through centre Sofiane Guitoune, who skipped around fullback Jordan Larmour to stretch the lead to 21-13.
What a step! ?
Sofiane Guitoune with the filthy footwork to deliver a sucker-punch right as Leinster looked to be back in it!
We've got a cracking contest on our hands here…
BT Sport 2 HD ? pic.twitter.com/QOTZ43eays— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 21, 2018
It seemed that Leinster would get away with a tough away win, after grinding away to take the lead back but Toulouse had one last play, snatching an intercept and keeping the ball alive for Maxime Médard to score his second try of the match.
Fullback Thomas Ramos nailed the clutch conversion to give Toulouse the lead.
Vintage Toulouse ?
The French side just refuse to quit as they re-take the lead on the back of a huge interception!
Superb ? pic.twitter.com/6OWkUID9Dy
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 21, 2018
ADVERTISEMENT
A tense final few moments saw Toulouse hold onto the ball and soak up the final 60 seconds and seal a mammoth result, heading to the top of the Pool with two wins from two matches.
Leinster couldn’t produce any heroics in the dying stages and lynchpin Jonathan Sexton was criticised by fans for tactically kicking the ball away with only minutes remaining.
2 minutes left on the clock your loosing and you kick the ball to your opponents in what world is that a good idea. Poor decision @JohnnySexton great game tho. #LeinsterRugby #TOUvLEI
— Michael (@mikehernon23) October 21, 2018
Can anyone shed some light on why Sexton kicked away possession with two minutes to go? #TOUvLEI
— Tom Downes (@tom_downes) October 21, 2018
What was Sexton at giving possession back to Toulouse with 2 minutes to go and a point down? Beggars belief! #TOUvLEI
— Patrick Jones (@proplyfe_com) October 21, 2018
The two other teams in the Pool, English clubs Wasps and Bath in the Pool shared a draw, effectively knocking both out of contention after first-up losses. Leinster’s seemingly rosy position looks less secure but they are still alive to defend their title.
ADVERTISEMENT
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Aha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
85 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to comments