WATCH: Romain Ntamack breaks La Rochelle hearts with a 60 metre solo try
Romain Ntamack was the hero for Toulouse as he scored a 60-metre wonder try to defeat La Rochelle 29-26 and win the Top 14 final.
La Rochelle looked on course to seal their first Bouclier de Brennus after tries from scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow and prop Uini Atonio gave them a 26-22 lead in the final five minutes of the match.
Denied a historic double
Ronan O’Gara’s side looked set to claim a historic double, having beaten Leinster in the Champions Cup final last month thanks to a late try from prop Georges Henri Colombe.
However, it was the men in yellow’s turn to suffer a late defeat, with Ntamack sealing their fate.
Before his moment of magic, Ntamack wasted an excellent opportunity for Toulouse when he kicked a penalty dead. However, he made up for the error to retain the title.
He got on the end of a fizzing pass from teammate Antoine Dupont inside his own half, with the fly-half gliding past an onrushing UJ Seuteni and fended off outside back Dillyn Leyds.
He sprinted into the opposition’s half, leaving four defenders in his wake and sped to the line, finishing off an arduous solo try.
ROMAIN NTAMACK!! 😱
The try that sealed the Top 14 title for Toulouse! 🏆#FinaleTop14 #STSR pic.twitter.com/oRIfOcPidl
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 17, 2023
The stadium erupted in celebration of Ntamack’s score, while former Springbok, Dillyn Leyds, was pictured after the game in tears after missing the tackle on the Toulouse flyhalf.
.@MartaAltberg y un análisis sobre como Ntamack nunca bajó los brazos y se convirtió en héroe de la final del #Top14.#ESPNenStarPlus pic.twitter.com/j2R7syrH5V
— ScrumRugby (@ScrumESPN) June 17, 2023
Toulouse centre Santiago Chocobares scored the opening try of the game when he pounced on a La Rochelle handling error and raced away to score in the 23rd minute.
Earlier, penalties from Thomas Ramos meant Toulouse led 13-6 in the final 10 minutes of the half.
La Rochelle would have the final say of the opening 40 when Kerr-Barlow crashed over the line from close range, with Antoine Hastoy’s conversions levelling the scores at 13-13 at the break.
Atonio scored shortly after the break to extend La Rochelle’s lead, with Hastoy adding two second-half penalties to Ramos’ three.
Ramos added the conversion to Ntamack’s score for a personal tally of 19 points in the final as Toulouse lifted the Brennus for the 22nd time in their history.
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