Patience is a virtue.
I personally detest that patronising mantra, not least when I’m wetting my
pants in excitement for the start of the Lions tour – patience can sod right
off. But a couple of sides – namely, the
2 competing for the Heineken Cup in the final in Dublin on Saturday – have had
to have become masters in the ‘art’ of waiting.
Clermont Auvergne have been dubbed as the unofficial ‘best side in
Europe’ for the last 4 years, and yet the biggest club prize in the Northern
Hemisphere has eluded them since the tournament’s inception – and with just one
league title in 2010, despite multiple final appearances, questions have been
asked about this Clermont side’s ability to perform on the biggest stage. Toulon meanwhile had won their last major
club trophy way back in 1992, but a huge amount of investment from Mourad
Boudjellal has seen a host of superstars arrive over the last 5 years and the stock
of the club has risen – but not to the point where they have been able to win
anything more significant than a “biggest moneybags” award.
Yes, it’s fair to say that fans of these 2 must be similarly
sick of waiting. But that’s where the
similarities end between the clubs, with Clermont’s wonderfully vibrant and
fast attacking game – exemplified by the likes of Wesley Fofana, Sitiveni
Sivivatu and Aurelien Rougerie – contrasting perfectly with the power and
precision game executed for Toulon by Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau and Bakkies
Botha.
The difference between the two sides was obvious from the
start. Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Giteau
were kicking from deep, content to let their chasers pressurise the Clermont
catchers and then let their defence try to force a turnover. But full back Lee Byrne was equal to the task
and was rock solid under the high ball, giving the men in white decent
territory to launch an attack against the Toulon line – and they took full
advantage, with Morgan Parra slotting a 45 metre penalty after Bakkies Botha
and Chris Masoe had infringed at the breakdown.
From the restart, Toulon tried to apply their own pressure
and were given perfect position to do so after Wilkinson dislodged the ball
from opposite captain Aurelien Rougerie.
Andrew Sheridan and Rudi Woolf carried with purpose into the Clermont
defence, but a dropped pass forced a turnover and the Toulon pack were
marmalised in the ensuing scrum, allowing the favourites to clear their lines.
The next 10 minutes were edgy, with plenty of half
opportunities being shut down with bone-shuddering effectiveness from both
sides. Kicking tennis was becoming the
default action, with mixed success from Brock James and Wilkinson, and it was
the men in red who eventually benefited from the war for territory – with
Matheiu Bastareau gaining decent ground after shrugging off Rougerie and
forcing the backpeddling Clermont pack to concede a penalty. Bread and butter for Wilkinson – 3-3.
This was becoming a real brawl, with neither side able to
quite land a knock-out blow, but it was Clermont who were finding their range
with couple of noticeable jabs – the slippery duo of Wesley Fofana and Sitiveni
Sivivatu in particular causing havoc with a couple of scything runs that
ultimately came to nothing. They came
closest to crossing the line just on the cusp of the half time break, with
James gathering up a knock on from Woolf and chipping over Masoe, accelerating
past the big number 8 only to see the ball roll dead just beyond the extended
reach of the diving fly half. The
whistle for the interval went and, despite dominating territory, possession and
chances, Clermont were somehow being held level and cut frustrated figures as
they trotted off the pitch.
Upon the resumption, though, it seemed as if the men in
white had finally discovered that clinical edge that has made them the most
feared attacking side in Europe.
Firstly, Rougerie sucked in 3 defenders before offloading to the
onrushing Napolioni Nalaga, who shrugged off the challenge of Sebastien
Tillous-Borde to score in the corner.
Parra missed the conversion, but, following a Wilkinson penalty, Clermont
struck again. Rougerie was involved
again as James placed a delightful chip over the Toulon defence for the big
centre to gather before the Australian received the return pass to scamper in
by the posts to score, despite the close attentions of Giteau. Parra’s conversion was on the money, and now
surely, with all Clermont’s experience, a 15 – 6 lead would prove unassailable?
Wrong. Firstly,
Wilkinson landed another penalty to bring the Galacticos within striking
distance, before Toulon struck with the decisive score of the game. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, outstanding in
defence all game, picked off a turnover from Fofana before popping it over
the top to Armitage, who sprinted in past Brock James to score on the
left. What would have been a fine try
was somewhat ruined by Armitage taunting and waving at the helpless James as he
ran in for the 5-pointer, proving once again that the ex-London Irish full back
is a total cretin with all the class of cat-calling builder. One man who is not either of those things
though, is Wilkinson, and the England legend (pay attention, Delon) slotted the
tricky conversion to give Toulon the lead for the first time in the game.
It would prove to be the last score in the game, too. Clermont continued to hold most of the
possession and territory, but were met with a Toulon defence whose resilience was
only matched by their physicality, with Lobbe and Bastareaud outstanding. The favourites threw everything at their
opponents in those closing stages, and how fitting it was that it was that man
Wilkinson to charge down a potentially cup-winning drop goal from substitute
David Skrela in the last minute. The final
whistle went and, against all the odds, it was this aging team of superstars
who had their hands on Europe’s most coveted prize.
Nobody could begrudge Wilkinson lifting the trophy and
adding another achievement to his over-filled scrapbook, or a Toulon side finally
rewarding the investment put into the club.
A long time coming?
Whatever. Any man, woman or child
associated with the Galacticos will tell you that it was well worth the
wait. And maybe, with Wilkinson staying
on another year, they won’t have to be so patient for the next one...
Lee Byrne – 6 – Solid under the high ball but not that visible joining the line in attack.
Sitiveni Sivivatu – 7 – So, so dangerous whenever he gets the ball which unfortunately, for Clermont, was not enough. Still made a couple of great breaks though.
Aurelien Rougerie (capt) – 8 – Arguably lost his one on one battle with Barrel Bastareau, but showed pure class in setting both of his side’s tries
Wesley Fofana – 6 – A couple of moments of magic, but otherwise was kept quiet and was shackled very well
Napolioni Nalaga – 7 – Was fairly anonymous until his try, but he showed off his agility, power and finishing skills for his finish
Brock James – 7 – A smart performance from the Aussie, finishing well for his side’s second and going close in the first half. Kicked well, too.
Morgan Parra – 6 – A couple of dodgy kicks from hand summed up an average day at the office for the usually-classy scrum half.
Thomas Domingo – 6 – Bravely played on with an injured bicep but, for once, didn’t get his own way in the scrum
Benjamin Kayser – 6 – Solid in the lineout but was held up well on the carry by aggressive defence
Davit Zirakashvili – 5 – Had some issues in the scrum against Andrew Sheridan and unable to make a dent in the loose.
Jamie Cudmore – 5 – Pretty invisible from the big Canadian. Couldn’t win the battle of the muscle up front
Nathan Hines – 6 – Again, struggled to impose himself physically but got about the park well and his support play was good.
Julien Bonnaire – 6 – Great in the lineout but struggled to make any inroads on the carry.
Gerhard Vosloo – 5 – Outmuscled at rucktime by the powerful Toulon back row, meaning his side struggled for momentum.
Damien Chouly – 5 – Another who found yards difficult to come by with the ball in hand.
Subs used
No substitutes were on long enough to make a significant
impact.
Delon Armitage – 6 – Loses a point for acting like a complete tool on his way to scoring a try, but there’s no denying the effectiveness of that gliding running style
Rudi Wulf – 6 – A couple of nice breaks were impressive but his dropped ball nearly led to a try in the first half for Clermont
Mathieu Bastareaud – 8 – A colossal presence in defence and sat Rougerie down more than once. Impressive.
Matt Giteau – 7 – A couple of crunching tackles highlighted his newfound physical focus, but complemented it with some gorgeous kicks as well
Alexis Palisson – 6 – A quiet day at the office for Palisson, but always looked sharp when he was on the ball
Jonny Wilkinson (capt) – 8 – The epitome of thinking correctly under pressure. Kicked beautifully and led the line in defence with his usual relish.
Sebastien Tillous-Borde – 6 – A solid effort, impressing with some strong running but also falling off Nalaga for Clermont’s first
Andrew Sheridan – 8 – A great show from the big Englishman. Dominant scrummaging and some blockbusting carries were the order of the day
Sebastien Bruno – 7 – Part of a powerful front row performance and solid in the set piece, a good day at the office.
Carl Hayman – 7 – A trademark performance from the experienced All Black, showing his power up front and crashing into contact with venom
Bakkies Botha – 7 – Typically boisterous, if not quite as conspicuous as usual, from the South African. The big man was at the heart of a relentlessly physical display from his pack.
Nick Kennedy – 6 – Has established himself as the dark horse of the pack, superbly effective in the set piece despite the fact he isn’t the biggest hitter around.
Danie Rossouw – 6 – Got around the park well and reigned in his tendency to give away penalties, but not a standout display
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe – 9 – Another phenomenal performance. Everywhere in the loose and with the ball in hand, he led a magnificent rearguard effort to hold out for victory. Man of the Match
Chris Masoe – 8 – A dominant display once again. Made yard after yard and stopped the Clermont runners dead on the gain line.
Subs used
Jean Charles Orioli – 6 – Solid. At least he didn’t chuck the ball to the opposition this time.
Gethin Jenkins – 6 – Chucked himself about with the usual venom and he’ll now be looking forward to getting on the Lions tour.
Davit Kubriashvili – Not enough time to make an impact
Joe Van Niekerk – 7 – Impressive stuff. Moved around the park with impressive mobility and upped the tempo when Toulon needed it.
Steffon Armitage – Not enough time to make an impact
Jocelino Suta – Not enough time to make an impact
Frederic Michalak – 7 – Along with Van Niekerk, provided the impetus the team needed to get back into the game.
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