Cockerill plays down Halfpenny absence

Toulon's outgoing coach Richard Cockerill refuses to blame the absence of Leigh Halfpenny for the Top 14 final loss to Clermont.

Halfpenny opted to skip Sunday's final and join up with the touring British and Irish Lions in New Zealand instead.

Some feel Halfpenny could have been the difference for Toulon as his replacement Anthony Belleau hit the woodwork with two penalties, costing his side points as they went down 22-16.

However, Toulon may never have made it to the final were it not for Belleau's dramatic late drop-goal in the 18-15 win over La Rochelle a week earlier.

And Cockerill, who will be replaced by Fabien Galthié ahead of next season, is refusing to lay the blame at Belleau's door.

"The game was very tight, six points difference. We hit the post twice and we played to the 83rd minute and were just short," he told AFP.

"Anthony's kicked well and the difference is (tiny).

"He'll learn from this experience but, like I said, kickers win you the game and don't lose you the game – we had other opportunities."

It has not been smooth sailing for Toulon this season as they have changed coaches three times and at one point looked as if they may not make the Top 14 playoffs.

But Cockerill said that if this was a "terrible" season for the club, then Toulon were in good shape.

"Everybody keeps telling me Toulon had a terrible season but they've been to the quarter-finals of the (European) Cup and lost in the (Top 14) final by the smallest of margins," he said.

"If that's a terrible season, they will build. They have a new coach who's a good guy and they will be a force again."

Meanwhile, Clermont hooker Benjamin Kayser hailed man-of-the-match scrum-half Morgan Parra, who kicked 17 of his side's points and battled bravely until the final whistle despite looking the worse for wear.

"For me he was enormous, he's a leader, he's just a little guy of 80kg who gives his whole life for a team, who throws himself under the bus the whole time," said Kayser.

"Against Racing (in the semi-final) I was screaming at him to stop defending the 'pick-and-goes' because at one point it looked as if he wouldn't be able to finish the match because he was completely smashed up.

"But I owe him life and death because what he gave today was phenomenal. He handles it well. He's a huge competitor and a massive guy."