Clermont basking in glory after beating Perpignan to win the Top 14
Clermont Auvergne supporters have been celebrating their famous win since the final whistle blew on Saturday night as they won the Top 14 title on their 11th attempt when they beat Perpignan 19-6 at the Stade de France.
Known as perennial chokers, Clermont finally came good on all their promise as a repeat of last seasons final ended the other way around, with the club from central France repaying the faith of their supporters eventually.
Clermont’s kiwi coach Vern Cotter was visibly emotional at fulltime as his side finally got it right. "A good night! The players deserve that," he said afterwards.
Captain Aurelien Rougerie, who got stuck in all game, said they were extremely happy with themselves after all the hard work that has gone into the campaign.
"This squad really has a soul, a character. I'm very happy for us, this squad and obviously all the people who waited so long for this."
The only try on the night was scored by powerful winger Napolioni Nalaga, in somewhat of a different fashion to what we’re used to seeing from him. He hasn’t had things go all his way on the wing of late though, so his effort from close to the line showed his value around the park.
Morgan Parra kicked the conversion, as well as three penalties, while Anthony Floch slotted a neatly taken dropgoal. Things may have been different if Perpignan fullback Jerome Porical had kicked better, but he missed four of his shots at goal.
This video shows the try, as well as one or two other moments from the game.
Time: 06:38
Known as perennial chokers, Clermont finally came good on all their promise as a repeat of last seasons final ended the other way around, with the club from central France repaying the faith of their supporters eventually.
Clermont’s kiwi coach Vern Cotter was visibly emotional at fulltime as his side finally got it right. "A good night! The players deserve that," he said afterwards.
Captain Aurelien Rougerie, who got stuck in all game, said they were extremely happy with themselves after all the hard work that has gone into the campaign.
"This squad really has a soul, a character. I'm very happy for us, this squad and obviously all the people who waited so long for this."
The only try on the night was scored by powerful winger Napolioni Nalaga, in somewhat of a different fashion to what we’re used to seeing from him. He hasn’t had things go all his way on the wing of late though, so his effort from close to the line showed his value around the park.
Morgan Parra kicked the conversion, as well as three penalties, while Anthony Floch slotted a neatly taken dropgoal. Things may have been different if Perpignan fullback Jerome Porical had kicked better, but he missed four of his shots at goal.
This video shows the try, as well as one or two other moments from the game.
Time: 06:38
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34 Comments:
1st
By Anonymous, at May 31, 2010 8:02 pm
Yes, Clermont were 1st. Thanks for commenting on the game ;)
That last bit was awesome, with Joubert tackling the guy over the line and them all getting totally amped about the win. Must be heartbreaking losing it time and time again, especially from being in the finals. So big congrats to Clermont, finally!
By Laz, at May 31, 2010 8:07 pm
What an absolute mong the commentator makes of himself at the end" do they think they sccored a try?"
No they just won their F**king league duhhhh!
well done:D nalaga is amazing
By Matt, at May 31, 2010 8:14 pm
Worst commentator ever.
By Anonymous, at May 31, 2010 8:19 pm
the commentary is almost as bad as brian moore's for the BBC....almost!
By Andrew, at May 31, 2010 8:38 pm
What is it about this commentator that makes him so bad? I feel sorry for him.
By t0m0, at May 31, 2010 8:41 pm
Clermont win a final at last! Took them long enough!
By Maverick, at May 31, 2010 9:00 pm
Awful commentary.
on another note... congrats clermont
By Unknown, at May 31, 2010 11:48 pm
Horrible game, feel sorry for USAP but it was time for Clermont to finally achieve something
By Mr.Boom, at June 01, 2010 1:59 am
Looked like a boring game... Doesn't reflect the Top 14 (just looked at Clermont's semi final!)
By Gman, at June 01, 2010 2:57 am
eurosport or whoever please fire this commentator
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 3:47 am
Good first half with some very good plays, the segond half was not prety but you know what we say, a final is to win, and the manner doesn't matter, so the game was a little closed, a lot of tenseness between the two teams.
Shame on Porical who missed 4 penalties and didn't give some suspens to the game.
I think with all the year and de quarter and the semis the top 14 was really howsome, glad that Clermont finally win it.
By tikoala, at June 01, 2010 4:52 am
Yep, during the game, I remember saying it was the most boring top 14 final I've ever seen, but now, I just remember the madness at the end and would watch it again joyfully : )
Brock James was supposed to be the weak point of the team and he prooved them all wrong : good for him.
After four consecutive finals lost, is Clermont going to keep the Brennus for four consecutive years from now on ?
: )
By Ulf, at June 01, 2010 8:26 am
ils sont protégés, ils sont protégés, ils sont, ils sont, ils sont protégés
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 9:00 am
^ Anon
"They have won this match fair and square." Even the bad commentator has seen this. Okay, I grant you it's no bible word since he's bad but unless they managed to jinx Porical, ASM owes nothing to noone for this match.
And come to think of it, given Porical's kick statistics this year (far less than 60%, I was told by a USAP fan) you can consider USAP lucky to reach the final since they haven't scored a try during the semi too (almost 90% Porical vs Toulouse).
So let's not spoil ASM highly deserved victory. Now let's see what they can do next season: try to keep the Brennus while playing HCup (and giving players to the French National team). THAT'll be a challenge.
By Maximus, at June 01, 2010 9:47 am
" Anonymous said...
ils sont protégés, ils sont protégés, ils sont, ils sont, ils sont protégés"
ça m'énerve les gens qui disent ça ... faut pas oublier que Porical a raté 4 pénalités non plus ...
By max_59, at June 01, 2010 10:02 am
Does anyone else find the incessant horn-blowing really annoying? They should be banned!
By Stephen, at June 01, 2010 10:11 am
"protégés" ? de bien jouer ? Désolé mais d'habitude on a Mermoz Durand Tuilagi ou Marty qui crée qq chose... la rien... donc...
Anyways, finally the ASM made it, happy for them, happy for their region and happy for the coach who brought the team to what it is nowadays : amongst the top teams in Europe.
Even Cudmore played well without getting carded... big sign there ^^
By jay, at June 01, 2010 10:18 am
I watched the game and i agree it wasn't that great to watch compared to the semi-finals ! but there were some big hits in this game and can Rugbydump maybe get the one of Henry Tuilagi that knocks out cold the Canadian second row from Clermont Jamie Cudmore. It was huge!
oh and I have to agree also that those horns are horrible and should be banned haha
Congrats Clermont
Max (from Belgium)
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 11:14 am
Max, do you remember when in the match it happened? I missed it
By Greiffel, at June 01, 2010 11:32 am
Pas vu Perpignan, dommage.
By Yannoche, at June 01, 2010 12:22 pm
Nalaga is so underated, i reckon on his day he is one of the best wingers playing at the moment!
By Smee, at June 01, 2010 2:00 pm
I must say congrats well deserved, but I must say that bloddy commentator is horrendous a two year wud have better rugby brains than he would! How did he get the job, please fire him! Quote " They think they scored a try" No they are celebrating the title you donkey!!
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 2:06 pm
Clermont won fair and square. They were the only eam on the field runing the ball.
Great for them. Next year we want them in HCup final!
By Geoff', at June 01, 2010 2:46 pm
Fantastic for clermont.....In the passion of finals week, could there be any footage out there of the USA super league final? Thanks RD
By Yankeerugger76, at June 01, 2010 4:05 pm
Bravo Clermont!! De loin l'équipe la plus régulère dans le top14 depuis 4ans. L'USAP est passé a côté de sa finale malgré une belle saison
By dezzy, at June 01, 2010 4:13 pm
This was not the best final we've seen in top 14... but who cares in Clermont ? I'm quite happy for them, as a Stade Toulousain fan, they deserved a "Bouclier".
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 6:22 pm
Greiffel if i remember well i think it was in the end of the second half or the beginning of the first half, medic and all on the field, game stopped so it should be not too hard to find if you have the game !
Oh and i forgot, there was a case of 'accidental' stamping too, in the face... Thibaut Privat, the clermontois, stepped on Adrien Planté entering a ruck, it wasn't picked up by the ref but he has been cited and will have to compare in front of a disciplinary commission... Rugbydump should try and get that too !!!
By Anonymous, at June 01, 2010 10:16 pm
Do you mean end of 1st or beginning of 2nd rather?
By Greiffel, at June 02, 2010 8:52 am
Okay, I found it. Ouch, big tackle.
By Greiffel, at June 02, 2010 9:38 am
who are the commentators? one of them sounds like a kiwi.
By Spartacus, at June 02, 2010 11:47 am
"Do they think they've scored the try?"
hahah hurrr
By Spartacus, at June 02, 2010 11:50 am
Robbie Knock is the main, slightly annoying one and the Kiwi is Andrew Mehrtens
By Greiffel, at June 02, 2010 11:55 am
hell yeah!!!!! us fijians know wat we'r doin on the wing!!!!
By Anonymous, at June 19, 2010 5:50 pm
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