By Louis Mouret
Published yesterday at 11:48 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:51 p.m.
Benjamin Urdapilleta taught Tristan Tedder a lesson. AFP / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / Frederic Chambert / Panoramic / Frédéric Chambert
TOPS/FLOPS – The score of Benjamin Urdapilleta, the Argentinians of ASM, the Fijians of Racing… or even the failures of Tristan Tedder, find the Tops and Flops of Clermont’s victory against Racing (23-18).
TOPS
Benjamin Urdapilleta at the helm
ASM’s evening victory against Racing (23-18) is once again proof: to win this season, Clermont must start Benjamin Urdapilleta. At 37 years old, the Argentinian fly-half has lost none of his splendor and still demonstrates his importance for his team. A true metronome in his kicking game, he once again showed himself to be remarkably accurate in his choices by playing with his hand or his foot at the right time. Decisive on ASM’s second try and precise as usual against the poles (5/5), he is the main architect of Clermont’s victory this Saturday.
The Argentinians of Clermont launched the charge
There were 4 of them this Saturday evening on the match sheet. And like their compatriot cited above, the Argentinians each managed a full match. Author of a try, Bautista Delguy did not hesitate to offer himself in the center of the field in his particular style to touch balls. Defensively, he responded against a Habosi who was in great form (see below). Among the forwards, Marcos Kremer, in addition to his immense defensive slaughter, made some destructive charges like on ASM’s first try (10′). Entering the game shortly before the hour mark, Tomas Lavanini waited only a few moments to distinguish himself by stealing a ball into touch from the Racing line-up. In short, the ASM can thank its Argentinians.
The Fijians of Racing responded
Suffering in the duels and losing in the majority of duels, the Racingmen were able to count on Vinaya Habosi. The Fijian winger has long been the only Ciel et Blanc to succeed in advancing, breaking tackles and creating danger in the Auvergne defense. And to see more danger on the side of Racing we had to wait for the start of the school year Tabuavou and Kamikamica, both decisive in the test of the hope of Racing (71′).
FLOPS
Tristan Tedder missed everything
The South African opener will be compared with his Argentine opponent in the evening. Uninspired in the game, Tristan Tedder generally missed his match. Between penalties not found, kicking directly in touch, lack of success against the poles and avoidable forward, the number 10 of Racing complicated the lives of his teammates. A match to forget for him who also left his team at 14 against 15 just before half-time for a tackle without the ball.
The late awakening of Racing
Watching the first period of Racing 92, we believed that the reshuffled team aligned by Stuart Lancaster was going to have a very bad evening. With 13 changes compared to the victory against La Rochelle last Sunday, we did not recognize Racing 92 before the hour mark. Dominated in the intensity and in the duels, the Ciel et Blanc ended up returning to the part by taking advantage of Clermont’s indiscipline (the black point of the ASM for Christophe Urios). With more success and better efficiency in the scoring zones, Racing 92 could have achieved a success on the pitch of Marcel Michelin. He finally leaves with the only defensive bonus point as a consolation gain.
