It was he who played the last ball of the match, converting Arthur Retière's try, putting La Rochelle in the lead in the last moments of the game.

These last two points, which brought his personal total to nine, do not change the history of the match (24-21).

But this kick typed in the direction of the South Bend of the Vélodrome, where the La Rochelle supporters were massed, has symbolic value and revenge.

Because West, a New Zealander who arrived in La Rochelle in 2018, has a reputation for being an excellent opener but a fragile scorer.

And his painful failures against the poles in the two finals lost last season by his club against Toulouse were a real burden for him.

A year ago, he had already been remarkable against Leinster, in the semi-finals of the European Cup.

But in the final, he let slip eight points, then failed again with a sad one out of three in the Top 14 final.

He then went through a real crisis of confidence, which he recognized, as did his manager Ronan O'Gara.

"Success in shooting on goal is much more mental than physical," he explained this season.

"It's a game with yourself, I need mental preparation."

never trembled

Over the course of the season, the one who will join Toulon at the end of the exercise, has been able to raise the bar, despite some relapses, as in January against Castres in the Top 14 and again in the semi-final of the European Cup against Racing .

"It was a bit of a wind, a bit of stress," he said after taking just one of four shots on goal.

But Saturday in Marseille, associated in hinge with the inexperienced Thomas Berjon in the absence of the usual N.9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, his foot never trembled.

In the 12th minute, he transformed Raymond Rhule's try to put his team in the lead for the first time (7-6).

Near the break, while his Leinster counterpart Johnny Sexton put on the penalties like pearls, he also scored three precious points, from 20 meters slightly to the right (10-12).

New Zealand opening half from La Rochelle Ihaia West hits a penalty against Leinster in the European Cup final on May 28, 2022 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille NICOLAS TUCAT AFP

On the hour mark, he still remained icy to convert Pierre Bourgarit's try and bring La Rochelle to just one point behind the Irish (18-17) and leave them in the game.

For the rest, he animated the game of three-quarters without genius but with speed and application.

And if he sometimes backed down on the tackle, he also crossed the first opposing curtain twice to allow his people to remain dangerous.

New Zealand opening half from La Rochelle Ihaia West tries to pass through the middle of Leinster centers Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose (d) during the European Cup final on May 28, 2022 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Pascal GUYOT AFP

In the end, his last successful kick finally crowned a solid performance and symbolically erased the balls passed by for the past 12 months.

At 30, West can go to Toulon with peace of mind.

In La Rochelle, all his failures are already forgotten.

© 2022 AFP