Antoine Hastoy, with his precision and his try scored at the start of the second half, largely contributed to the qualification of his team. PAUL ELLIS / AFP
Stade Rochelais won with the offensive bonus on the Sale Sharks pitch for the fourth day of the Champions Cup (12-37) and qualified for the final stages of the Champions Cup.
The Rochelais had to win to be sure of playing in the round of 16, but started the match with a big scare. At the end of a confusing situation during which the referee judged that Botia had not committed a voluntary forward, Roebuck failed a few centimeters from the goal line (8th).
In the process, it was the Maritimes who were clinical. Tanga, placed in the center for the occasion, countered a kick attempt from Du Preez which Leyds followed well. Running forty meters with ball in hand, he sharpened an opponent before resisting the returns of several defenders (9th).
Hastoy’s flawless performance
Hastoy then began his flawless performance by converting the try. Despite the wind, the French opener managed a nice 4/4 in the first act (9th, 14th, 38th, 40th), allowing his team to take a comfortable lead. In a first half marked by the imprecision of the Rochelais and the indiscipline of the Sharks, the English second row Jonny Hill had to be evacuated on a stretcher, probably injured in the right knee (20th). At the break, Alldritt’s teammates returned to the locker room leading 16-0.
More relaxed at the end of the match, La Rochelle conceded its first points of the match in the 58th minute, with a try from Tom Roebuck. And despite the two yellow cards received in quick succession by Hastoy (64th) then Dulin (66th), Stade Rochelais won with the offensive bonus (37-24).
