After La Rochelle’s defeat on the pitch at Stade Toulousain (60-14), Maritimes coach Ronan O’Gara could only note the gap in level between his team and that of Ugo Mola.
This Sunday at the end of the 13th day of Top 14, La Rochelle took on water on the Stadium lawn. Faced with raging Toulouse, the Maritimes suffered a scathing defeat (60-14), conceding nine tries. A demonstration of rugby, allowing the people of Toulouse to regain, alone, the chair of leader of the championship and to end the year 2025, Autumn champion.
There was no exploit for the Rochelais, winners of only one away match this season, on the LOU pitch (19-36) during the 8th day. In Toulouse, Ronan O’Gara perhaps suffered “the biggest defeat of his coaching career here”, as he explained at a press conference.
Not the same sport for O’Gara
Disappointment, admiration, dejection… It’s difficult to describe Ronan O’Gara’s feeling as the Toulouse team’s performance was so grandiose. With a gala Dupont, author of two tries and a recital in the game (two assists for Capuozzo and Thomas), La Rochelle was not really able to express itself, despite Niniashvili’s quick opening score. In the end, the 60 points conceded by the Maritimes testify to the difference in level observed this Sunday at the Stadium.
“I feel like we play different sports. Bravo to Toulouse for his timing, his precision, his aggressiveness. It’s a top performance for a top team. Perhaps the best club team in the world. It’s hard to know where we stand after an evening like this. We need to think on Monday and Tuesday, to have a better match against Toulon,” declared the Irish coach.
Hard to find positives in this defeat. O’Gara, for his part, could only see the gap between his team and the reigning champion. “We’re not even close to them,” he admitted. Despite this gap, the La Rochelle coach also pointed out the numerous errors of his team, letting Toulouse take advantage of every opportunity. “Even though it’s a high-class team up front, we really helped them. It’s not us. This is unforgivable in high-level sport. There are still interesting things to learn. Are we able to retain it and apply it? That’s the real question. »
