Paris (AFP)
Stade Français won their second match of the season Sunday against Toulon on the seventh day of Top 14 (33-30), but is still convalescent and last in the standings.
The win can give South African coach Heyneke Meyer some air, in danger after his team's poor start to the season, with a record of two wins and five defeats.
The Parisians are not cured so far and have shown both feverishness to defeat the defense of Toulon, and clumsiness in defense, resulting in a test of Savea after an interception, which made them pass behind (23- 16) just after the break.
But the try of the back Kylan Hamdaoui, after the post returned the drop of Morné Steyn (33-30, 73rd), showed the Stade Français's character resources, a week after the sinking at Brive (46- 16).
Dominating, the Parisians have yielded on almost all the rare incursions of Toulon, still showing the fragility of their defense, by far the worst of the Top 14.
But Sekou Macalou first managed to get his teammates back on track, especially on his second try, where he choked by himself Ikpefan near the touch to return to equality (23-23, 47th). Then, after the realization of Lakafia for Toulon while he remained ten minutes to play (30-26), it is Hamdaoui who has donned the costume the savior.
In a very young Parisian team, it is therefore two players of 24, with a little more experience, who have unlocked the situation. Scorer Morné Steyn, 35, also contributed to the success of his team by scoring all his kicks in the first period, although he was less successful then with two drops missed.
The Toulonnais, who showed little of their displacement in the capital, remain stuck in the middle of the standings. Stade Français is still behind with three points behind Brive and Agen, with whom he moves next week.
© 2019 AFP