Bordeaux-Begles player ratings v Toulouse: Champions’ playmakers and replacements ‘lead the way’ in impressive triumph
Bordeaux-Begles front-row Ben Tameifuna takes on the Toulouse defence and UBB playmaker Matthieu Jalibert (inset).
After their 30-15 Investec Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Toulouse at Stade Chaban-Delmas, here’s how the Bordeaux-Begles team performed on Sunday.
15 Salesi Rayasi: The Fijian international led the way on attack for the home side and he kept his opponents on their toes with some fine line breaks. Rayasi gave his side good momentum from the back and eventually gained a match-high 83 metres which included two clean breaks and four defenders beaten. 8
14 Pablo Uberti: The 28-year-old did not see much of the ball on attack out wide and had little effect on proceedings defensively as he only made six tackles during an 80-minute effort. 6
13 Damian Penaud: Les Bleus’ leading international try-scorer was forced off the field just before half-time for a HIA which he failed, following an illegal off-the-ball hit from Dorian Aldegheri for which the Toulouse prop was shown a 20-minute red carded. Prior to that, Penaud was solid on both sides of the ball. 6
12 Yoram Moefana: The France had some good attacking moments as there were a few occasions where he found his outside backs with superb distribution while he also did his bit as a ball carrier, gaining 40 metres which included two defenders beaten. Moefana was also solid in defence, making seven tackles. 7
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey: The 22-year-old had some good attacking moments but was not as influential as he usually is on attack as he was marked closely by the Toulouse’s defence. Despite that Bielle-Biarrey still gained 59 metres with ball in hand. 7
10 Matthieu Jalibert: The France playmaker showed his class with a well-taken try early in the second half which brought the Investec Champions Cup‘s defending champions back into the game. Jalibert continued to be influential on proceedings as he continued to ask questions of the visitors’ defence and he also put his body on the line in defence as he made 12 tackles and also won a couple of turnovers. 8
9 Maxime Lucu (c): Bordeaux’s captain caught the eye with an outstanding all-round performance as he shone on either side of the ball. Lucu impressed with his decision making, shone on defence – where he made a match-high 17 hits – and kicked well, out of hand and at goal, finishing with a 10-point contribution courtesy of two penalties and as many conversions. 8
The forwards
8 Marko Gazzotti: The young back-row was on the field for 56 minutes before Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer replaced him but he emptied the tank during his time on the field. Gazzotti finished with 37 metres gained, which included a couple of defenders beaten, eight tackles made and he won a crucial turnover. 7
7 Cameron Woki: Another one who gave his all to the cause, the 27-year-old was a willing ball carrier, had a high work-rate on defence and did well in the lineout battle. 7
6 Pierre Bochaton: While the rookie France international made little impact with ball in hand, he made up for that with an excellent defensive effort as he made 14 hits before Tiaan Jacobs replaced him in the 69th minute. 7
5 Adam Coleman: The former Wallabies second-row worked tirelessly at the coalface of Bordeaux’s forward effort. Coleman was a handy option in the lineouts, did well with ball in hand and shone in the execution of his defensive duties where he made 12 tackles. 8
4 Boris Palu: The 30-year-old was a valuable source of possession in the lineouts, did well as a ball carrier – especially at close quarters – and impressed on defence. 7
3 Carlu Sadie: The burly South African front-row did what was expected of him at scrum-time but was quiet in other areas before being replaced by Ben Tameifuna with 30 minutes left on the clock. 6
2 Maxime Lamothe: The 27-year-old got the ball rolling with the game’s opening try in the 24th minute and was also prominent on defence where he made 13 tackles. 7
1 Jefferson Poirot: The former France international gave a good account of himself in during a 50-minute stint on the field and apart from being solid in the scrums, he was superb at the breakdown battle where he won a match-high three turnovers. 7
Replacements Bordeaux’s replacements deserve plenty of credit for their efforts as they led the way – along with the likes of Jalibert and Lucu – in turning things around for UBB in the second half. The likes of Arthur Retiere, who replaced Penaud just before half-time, and Tameifuna made their presence felt during their stints on the field with both players crossing the whitewash for crucial tries, which proved crucial in the grander scheme of things, and the latter also won two crucial turnovers. 8