VIDEO: Kolbe magic helps Toulouse crush Pau
TOP 14 REPORT: Toulouse overcame the absence of several France internationals to ease Pau aside 31-9 for an eighth consecutive Top 14 win to consolidate their lead at the summit.
Despite missing Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand and Cyril Baille due to the Six Nations, Toulouse showed their strength in depth with World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe notching his seventh try of the season in a comfortable victory.
Playing for the first time since January 23 following a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad, Toulouse surged into a 14-0 lead with Kolbe dotting down before the hosts were awarded a penalty try.
Change position – same result . Kolbe is some mover. pic.twitter.com/79T448jTdc
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) February 12, 2021
Antoine Hastoy’s penalty got Pau on the board, but Toulouse pulled further ahead as Emmanuel Meafou added a third try and Australian flyhalf Zack Holmes converted, having earlier kicked a penalty of his own.
Two more Hastoy penalties chipped away at the deficit before Toulouse wing Yoann Huget crossed the whitewash in the closing minutes of a bonus-point victory.
“Like I told the group before going out there, Toulouse will always be Toulouse,” said Huget.
“We played without Cheslin for months, we played without Antoine last year. We can’t just rely on our individual abilities. Toulouse first and foremost is a group.”
Toulouse are seven points clear of both La Rochelle and Racing 92 who play on Saturday.
Pau remain 11th after the defeat.
— Cheslin Kolbe (@Cheslin_Kolbe11) February 9, 2021
