Thanks to a very good reaction in the first period, La Rochelle outclassed the Exeter Chiefs (47-28) and joined Leinster for their third consecutive Champions Cup final.
La Rochelle will defend its title to the end! The day after Leinster qualified at the expense of Toulouse, the Maritimes granted the Irish’s wish for revenge after a show of force against Exeter Chiefs. Nevertheless, a Matmut Atlantique from Bordeaux full as an egg and won over to the La Rochelle cause was showered by the English team. Indeed, if Ronan O’Gara’s players quickly got their hands on the ball, it was Sam Simmonds who flattened the first try of this semi-final. After a penalty played by hand, the future player of Montpellier forced the passage to pierce the Charente defense. In the process, his younger brother Joe Simmonds passed the transformation.
An early test which undoubtedly helped the Rochelais to wake up. Indeed, barely three minutes later, Raymond Rhule set the record straight. On a light pass from Antoine Hastoy after a breakthrough from Jules Favre and Grégory Alldritt, the La Rochelle winger took the risk of extending the ball on foot but it paid off. Without opposition, the test of equalization could be flattened. While the Chiefs tried to react, La Rochelle very quickly lost Levani Botia, who did not respond favorably to the concussion protocol after a violent shock, giving way to Paul Boudehent. Shortly after halfway through the first act, Ulupano Seuteni released the Maritime fans after a lengthy collective action.
La Rochelle worn by Seuteni
The three-quarters center was perfectly launched in a fault of the English defense to go to queen. As half an hour of play approached, the La Rochelle players thought they were making the break thanks to their captain Grégory Alldritt. However, no image confirmed that the ball was flattened and then Will Skelton was penalized for clearing too high. Exeter were not spared injury with Jonny Gray not resisting a touch from Will Skelton and making way for Aidon Davis.
The Chiefs match changed to the next action, with Dan Frost collapsing a ball carried by La Rochelle and receiving a yellow card. At fourteen, the English team did not resist against Grégory Alldritt. After a dominating scrum, the Maritime captain waited to extract the ball and charge into the in-goal. On the very last action, it was Tawera Kerr-Barlow who invited herself to the party after an express ball comeback.
On an after-contact pass from Ulupano Seuteni, the former All Black did not ask for his rest to register the fourth try of his formation, thus giving him a 19-point lead at the break. From the start, Ronan O’Gara’s players resumed their march forward and Raymond Rhule went there with his double. Perfectly shifted on the left wing by a perfect kick pass from Antoine Hastoy, the La Rochelle winger had no difficulty in establishing his team’s domination.
Exeter couldn’t believe it
Back to the wall, the Exeter bench began to empty to bring new blood but it did not pay off. Worse still, a little less than half an hour from the siren, Pierre Bourgarit added to the bill. A ball carried smoothly led out of touch allowed the hooker to flatten without difficulty. With 33 points behind, the Chiefs were less complex and Josh Iosefa-Scott, barely ten minutes after coming into play, was able to force the defensive curtain of La Rochelle to go queen.
A test that will remain an adventure since, approaching the last ten minutes, Tawera Kerr-Barlow went there with her double. Launched powerfully in the English defense, the New Zealander did not ask for his rest to flatten. With the gap made and qualification assured, the Maritimes eased off. This allowed Exeter to save a little more honor with two tries signed Olly Woodburn and Jack Yeandle in the last ten minutes.
At the very last second, Quentin Lespiaucq thought he was allowing La Rochelle to finish on a high note but, for irregular support from Teddy Thomas on a carried ball, his try was canceled after video arbitration. Not enough to spoil the party of a melting Atlantic Matmut. Thanks to this fine victory (47-28), La Rochelle ensured their third consecutive Champions Cup final. However, the march will be high against a vengeful Leinster who will play in front of their audience.
