For this fifth match in the saga between European giants, the Leinstermen finally took their revenge on the title holders thanks to an extraordinary performance from the Kiwi duo Lowe/Gibson-Park while, on the La Rochelle side, the usual leaders suffered considerably.
THE TOPS
James Lowe
Since the time he has been active on the international circuit, we no longer need to present the former Waikato Chiefs player, who has now become one of the executives of the Irish selection for four years. If his defense is sometimes doubtful, the incredible length of his left foot allowed Leinster to win the battle of occupation and the exchanges of ground. And above all, the winger with the bun proved to be formidable in his favorite field: attack. At the origin (recovering the ball on a kicking chase) and at the conclusion of the first try of the match (17e), decisive passer on those of Gibson-Park (38e) then Baird (43e) and Seehan (56e), he ultimately scored a double as the opponent’s death knell tolls, capable of recovering a pass at the foot of Byrne then resisting the return of his opposite number Jack Nowell.
Jamison Gibson Park
Our Irish friends, whose tendency towards self-satisfaction is no longer in doubt (witnessed by the suspicious attitude of McCarthy and his friends at the 78e), are at this point of self-importance that they seriously consider Jamison Gibson-Park as the alter ego of Antoine Dupont. We obviously won’t follow them to the end of their delirium… However, we won’t push bad faith so far as to refuse to see that Gibson Park was excellent on the Aviva pitch, winning his duel against Kerr- Barlow. Particularly expected after his hat-trick in the quarter-final, “JGP” had the good taste to do it again in support of Lowe, but above all to perfectly lead the boat of his team, by multiplying the closed sides which forced the La Rochelle defenders to ask lots of questions. Very valuable, in his defensive withdrawals, he benefited from a legitimate ovation in the 73e.
Levani Botia
The third row was, by far, the best element of his team on the pitch at the Aviva Stadium. One of the few, in any case, to have evolved to its real level. Missioned to chase Irish receivers under kickoffs and other kicking plays, he fulfilled his task marvelously with 14 tackles (his team’s best total), while proving to be constant poison in the rucks with two turnovers won, and at least as many that could have been rewarded. Severely targeted by Irish clearances, it was never removed. A pure warrior, and one of the rare reasons for individual satisfaction in the rout.
FLOPS
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
So valuable in the conquest of the first two European stars, Tawera Kerr-barlow was particularly expected before this match, through his duel with Gibson-Park. Alas for La Rochelle, the former All Black was not at the expected level. Guilty of a covering fault at the origin of Lowe’s try then of an error under a dismissal, the scrum half from La Rochelle never managed to turn the tide. Countered for the first time by Sheehan, author of another guilty kick at the origin of a dangerous counter-attack, he also suffered in defense. Too easily consumed by McCarthy on his opposite number’s essay (38e), he also showed himself to be the author of several untimely climbs, slightly late, the last of which (on Baird’s attempt) caused him to go out with concussion at the 44e. A Stations of the Cross.
Gregory Alldritt
Like his team, the captain of Stade Rochelais has never really succeeded in imposing the forward movement, like Will Skelton closely held by the Irish third line. And while he was one of the initiators of the maritime revolt in the final last year, the number eight of the XV of France only confirmed that he has not yet found his rhythm after his long post-season break. -Global. An image is worth a thousand words, namely this percussion suffered against the Irish full-back Frawley at the origin of the Gibson-Park try, which earned him to land on his buttocks. If he tried to carry the ball with 13 races, he lacked efficiency with a penalty conceded and two lost balls.
Uini Atonio
We had seen it a little earlier in the afternoon: without a scrum worthy of the name, it is impossible to imagine a victory in the Champions Cup quarter-final. As such, while the mass of Uini Atonio had been a base for Stade Rochelais in its previous campaigns, Leinster this time managed to shake the band at O’Gara. Thus, for the first time in his career, Irish left-hander Andrew Porter was able to dominate a clearly worn Atonio after the World Cup/Tournament sequence. Enough to concede an energy which he lacked in the running game, where he was unusually absent (3 meters covered, 4 tackles made for a miss). To the point of giving way from the 53e to Joël Sclavi…