by doedin on Sun Jan 13, 2019 11:42 am
Great result in an intimidating venue, just shows how far our guys have come with their confidence and mental strength. If we are being honest this Toulon team is a pretty poor team despite the names on the team sheet but as the saying goes you can only play what is in front of you and we thumped them. I also think we weren't as good as we could have been and left a few points on the pitch, a few bad bounces didnt help, but as we grow in confidence we will create and take even more chances.
I thought Cockerill got the tactics spot on again, we ran them ragged by keeping the ball in hand and in play, going through the phases and wait for their big, unfit guys to struggle to get back into defensive shape before striking. We didnt give them the ball to play with and kept their strike runners out of the game apart from their consolation try at the end of the game. Pyrgos ran the game from 9 and his kicking and decision making was perfect, what a difference he has made to the team! He brings control and calmness, which everyone feeds off, and executes the gameplan excellently. Our kicking in the second half was spot on and it almost looked like we were deliberately aiming for the sandy 'dead spot' in the corner so as to put pressure on their back 3.
There were no failures in our team just the odd mistake here and there which is inevitable in any game. Everyone was spot on and played their part in the win, it would be unfair to pick some out as better than others. However what has improved is our confidence and our willingness to execute and show off our skills. It is great to see the guys go out with confidence, to try and be their best, play good rugby and look to be enjoying themselves. Well done the coaching team.