Montpellier (AFP)
For the premier of the South African world champion Handré Pollard at the GGL Stadium, Montpellier conceded a draw (20-20) against the Stade Français on Saturday, on the 12th day of the Top 14.
Gaël Fickou and Sefanaia Naivalu, on the Parisian side, responded to the essays of Arthur Vincent and Pollard in a committed meeting. With this precious draw, the Parisians remain in last place in the ranking, but come back one point behind Agen. MHR sees Racing 92 take its fifth place.
Despite the three losses in a row against Toulouse - in the European Cup - and Racing, the Héraultais appeared confident and mastered the start of the match. Playing from home camp, they inflicted a 10-0 loss to the Parisians in ten minutes. After a first penalty from Pollard, the center Arthur Vincent snuck alone from the 40 meters in Paris to register the first try of the match (8th).
But after a quarter of play that was too tender, the Stadists ended up reacting. Solid on the conquest phases, they camped the rest of the first period in the Montpellier camp. Their dominance was finally rewarded after 23 minutes, when Fickou broke the opposing defense to shift Australian winger Sefanaia Naivalu, who tested for his first Top 14 match.
The capital's players continued to play in the opposing half. If the opener Nicolas Sanchez missed two penalties, they were rewarded with a second try signed Fickou, after a new percussion from the Fijian center Waisea (33rd). And logically led to the break (14-10).
Excellent in the distribution of the game, Sanchez was not in a good day against the poles: after a wasted 3rd penalty, the Parisian staff entrusted the load of the goal to the incoming Joris Segonds, who gave back four points 'advance (53rd).
But Montpellier finally reacted by entering the opposing camp, causing the temporary exclusion of Sekou Macalou and regaining control on a penalty quickly played by Pollard (68th). The MHR failed, however, to keep its advantage, Segonds equalizing five minutes from the end. A lesser evil for Montpellier, which remains unbeaten in the championship in its lair.
© 2019 AFP