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Toulouse player ratings vs Bordeaux | 2023/24 Top 14 final
By Ian Cameron
Toulouse player ratings: A Top 14 final that will be remembered for being one of the most one-sided in recent memory might not have been low on drama but it did have some sublime rugby – and it was all from Toulouse.
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1. Rodrigue Neti – 7.5
Impressive in the scrums against the giant Ben Tameifuna and contributed significantly in open play with strong carries and tackles. Played a key role in the forward dominance.
2. Peato Mauvaka – 8.5
Took his try well, making light work of the Romain Buros’ tackle attempt and was unlucky not get a second just before halftime, a 5-pointer which would have killed off the game. Some lovely touches throughout from the big man.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – 7
Powerful in the scrums and provided a stable platform. Decent work rate around the field, making several crucial tackles and carries.
4. Richie Arnold – 8
Commanding in the lineouts and physical in the tight. The Aussie’s presence was felt both in defence and attack and he very much overshadowed fellow ex-Wallaby Adam Coleman.
5. Thibaud Flament – 6
A little quiet by his own lofty standards. Made a few important contributions but was largely subdued. Did his job in the lineouts and tackled reliably.
6. Francois Cros – 7.5
If there was an award for “Tackling Everything in Sight,” Francois Cros would be the undisputed champion. He was like a human wrecking ball, launching himself at anything that moved.
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7. Jack Willis – 8
Maybe Toukouse’s most effective ball carrier early on, the Englishman was gobbling up metres like a compulsive eater in a peanut packing factory. He’d walk into the England team right, were he eligible.
8. Alexandre Roumat – 8
The rangey No.8 pestered Bordeaux’s pack all night and was all over their lineout like a drunk on a 3 am kebab.
9. Antoine Dupont – 9
Barring one charge down, it was the Dupont show in Marseille. Had no right to score his first try on 6 minutes, most flankers would have struggled. His second was a work of art which belongs alongside the masterpieces of Matisse, Gauguin and Monet. His over-egged kick on 29 minutes may well have been no mistake either, rather a moment of genius too, as it allowed his comrades time to catch their breath, even if on the surface it appeared to come at his expense.
10. Romain Ntamack – 8.5
Like a 1980s action hero, Ntamack was everywhere, doing it all and looking cool while doing it. His bouffant barnet might make him look like a soft touch but he is anything but, getting through a tonne of defensive work. Showed his class to create the try that killed off Bordeaux’s hopes in the 63 minute.
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11. Blair Kinghorn – 7.5
Slightly out of position on the wing, the Scot saw little of the ball for much of the match but was looking to make things happen every time it found its way to him. His confidence has come on leaps and bounds since arriving in Toulouse and his 69th-minute try brought the game into rout territory.
12. Pita Ahki – 7
Workmanlike might be a bit unfair to Ahki, who always brought value and effort when on the ball. Made significant yards and linked up well with his fellow Toulousains.
13. Santiago Chocobares – 7
A couple of wobbly moments in terms of ball security and passing from the Argentinian, but was a handful to bring down.
14. Juan Cruz Mallia – 5
When not missing tackles, he was struggling to make legal ones. Like a fart in a windstorm, his efforts went largely unnoticed.
15. Thomas Ramos – 8
One of those nights when Ramos barely put a foot wrong. Never put under any real pressure by Bordeaux. Deserved his brace.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Julien Marchand – 8
Mauvaka was a hard act to follow but Marchand did a fine job. Injected energy into the game, solid in the set piece, and was good value for his 67th-minute try.
17. David Ainu’u – 8.5
Bulled in the scrums after coming on at 56 minutes and was active in open play, grabbing a rare try.
18. Clement Verge – 7
Worked hard and made some tackles but the Bordeaux resistance had all but crumbled.
19. Joshua Brennan – 7
A solid performance off the bench from the son of the Irish and Toulouse legend.
20. Paul Graou – 7
Made a noticeable difference, sharp passing and added tempo to the game, even if it was a short cameo against a beaten team.
21. Ange Capuozzo – 7
Made one searing break to remind people of what he can do. Shame he didn’t get more game time.
22. Paul Costes – 8
Played heads-up rugby and looked to be enjoying the rout.
23. Joel Merkler – 5.5
Not every day you see a 6’4, 128kg prop cum lock named at 23. His scrummaging might need work though.
After receiving his MOTM award, Dupont said that he made quite a few mistakes. We all saw that he did. But he deserves his 9/10 rating. No idea how Jack Willis is rated with just 8/10 though and I think giving Flament a 6/10 is very harsh, he played as good a game as most of his teammates.
Publishing the ratings a few minutes before the end of the game…?!?!
Did the author have a bus to catch or what? 🫠