Toulouse Olympique misses its Super League debut

For his first in the Super League at Ernest Wallon, Toulouse Olympique lost to Huddersfield (14-42).

Wintry weather and a ban on refreshments at French government-controlled stadiums kept historic opening night attendance lower than expected at just 5,238 at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, but on the pitch the home side could hardly have asked for a better start.

Toulouse took little time to score their first points in the top flight with a second-minute try from Matty Russell, who collected a clever pass from Junior Vaivai from the tackle to the touchdown in the left corner from close range.

Getting into his game perfectly, Tony Gigot took the game in hand both in animation and in footwork. He gives a magnificent assist on foot. It is also impeccable on high balls. Then, like the collective, he experienced a big drop in speed at the end of the first period. The second period is complicated, he is less present, makes an unusual mistake and his positioning in defense leaves something to be desired. We expect more from the one who must be the leader of his team for 80 minutes.

A few penalties kept Huddersfield on the attack, with former Warrington Wolves stalwart Chris Hill and former England second line Chris McQueen going wild in the middle, but a handling error from Tui Lolohea put the home side back in control .

When Tony Gigot threw a high ball, winger Ilias Bergal recovered and tackled the ground in the right corner, Chris Hankinson this time on target for 10-0 after 20 minutes.

James Cunningham, Matty Russell, Chris Hankinson and Lucas Albert were all bowing out for Toulouse after joining the French club for their first Super League season.

Huddersfield had four players making their competitive debuts, including new half-back duo Tui Lolohea and Theo Fages. Chris Hill and Danny Levi were also new faces in the peloton.

Luke Yates worked his way across the Toulouse line to score wide of the posts five minutes later, Oliver Russell adding the conversion and then Yates found Innes Senior on the wing to level the scores.

Center Wardle appeared to have beaten Gigot to a chip in the Toulouse in-goal to score just before half-time, but the video referee disagreed, however, as the horn sounded at half-time. time, there was no debate on a 30 yards. strike by Louis Senior.

At 10-16, some French resistance was going to be needed in the second half, but Wardle was the first to break the line to score in the 47th minute and then Josh Jones was held back under the posts.

Toulouse went further behind with a Russell penalty 10 minutes later and were forced into a long string of goal-line retirements as the Giants turned the screw.

The English giants struggled to establish themselves in midfield. Often pushed back in attack, he was not dominating either in defense and conceded 2 penalties.

He shared playing time with Eloi Pélissier. The beginning is correct but the end of the first period is complicated. A 40-20 attempt directly into touch, missed tackles including one which leads to a try. He might have deserved to come out between the 25th and 30th minute.

Wardle struck for his second, converted from the touchline by Russell, then McQueen and Olly Ashall-Bott crossed to bring the 40th point and rub more salt into the French wounds.

A late consolation try from Guy Armitage saved the Olympians some blushes, but coach Sylvain Houles may need to make some emergency recruits to his depleted squad if points are to be hoped for from their first set of matches.

Less visible than usual, he still brought his dynamism without making any mistakes. The comparison with White is inevitable and to his advantage. Its freshness would undoubtedly have been useful to the TO at the end of the first period.

Lively on support, he posed difficulties for the defense of the Giants. He breaks 4 tackles and was rather active in defense without being faulted. He also allowed his defense to slide well on the outside.

He made 36 tackles, best Toulouse tackler with Romain Navarrete. Otherwise he was rather sober… too much perhaps, he did not take over his opponents either in attack or in defense.

Maxime Puech – 3 missed tackles and 1 penalty conceded, it is unfortunately a bit too much. Same as Justin Sangare, and Joseph Paulo – his entry didn’t add much. Guilty of two penalties quickly, he did not really put his team in the direction of travel when they needed it. Not really what you expect from a player his experience.

Sylvain Houles hopes to strengthen the Toulouse squad after their 42-14 defeat against Huddersfield, but does not plan to recruit anytime soon:
“We started pretty well, but in the first half we killed each other. Our discipline cost us quite a bit… and we didn’t adapt in the second half, and that’s how you learn, I guess.

“Offsides and set replays got Huddersfield back in the game. Our kicks were poor… and we seemed to have to do something special every time, and we can’t panic like that. »

Ian Watson said he was pleased with the resilience of a new Huddersfield squad after beating Toulouse in the season opener:
« I’m just happy to have won in the first game of the season. We are a new group and it will take time to build momentum, but we have a great group and are looking forward to the season.

“We knew Toulouse would be really enthusiastic and bring a load of energy, and we had to match that. I thought we started off a little sloppy, but after that we had a change with Seb and Joe Greenwood, and they kind of lifted the intensity of the game, and we started to go back to how we wanted to play. »

At that point in the game, Olympic Toulouse came out of the debate. Euphoric, Huddersfield copiously increased the bill. Five minutes from time, the scoreboard was very flattering for Huddersfield (42-10).

Let’s say it right away, the victory of the « giants » is by no means usurped even if the final score is not really kind to Olympic Toulouse (42-14). And yet everything had started well for Toulouse.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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