Sloppy Stormers too good for young La Rochelle
MATCH REPORT: The Stormers extended their unbeaten run to eight games, recording a 42-21 victory over Stade Rochelais in a thrilling Champions Cup Round Two clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The South African side dominated from the outset, outscoring La Rochelle six tries to three.
The Stormers made a dominant start as they powered to a 16-7 halftime lead against La Rochelle, capitalising on early momentum.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!
It was a very interesting team selection for La Rochelle. They opted for a very young side, with former Stormers star Dillyn Leyds on the bench.
The visitors were also without their head coach, Ronan O’Gar, after he was handed a two-match ban for his red card against Pau in the Top 14.
O’Gara had to watch the encounter from the stands just like last weekend during Stade Rochelais’ Round One victory over Leicester Tigers.
In contrast, the Stormers entered the contest brimming with confidence, unbeaten across both the URC and Champions Cup. Their cause was further strengthened by the return of SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Springbok Cobus Reinach.
The hosts struck early, asserting control through sustained possession. Playing under penalty advantage, Feinberg-Mngomezulu launched a perfectly weighted cross-field kick that was gathered by Dylan Maart, who crossed for the opening try. The flyhalf was unable to add the extras as the Stormers took a 5-0 lead.
The pressure continued minutes later when a powerful scrum paved the way for Leolin Zas to dot down out wide, extending the Stormers’ advantage. 10-0.
The hosts threatened to run away with the contest but saw two disallowed tries – first Evan Roos’ foot was in touch, while another effort was chalked off for obstruction by JD Schickerling.
La Rochelle were dealt a blow midway through the half, debutant Suliasi Vunivalu was forced off injured, prompting the introduction of Leyds.
Gradually, the visitors worked their way back into the game, spending more time in Stormers territory. Despite gaining multiple entries into the 22, they were met by a resolute South African defence.
Their persistence was eventually rewarded when a well-constructed line-out maul resulted in Quentin Lespiaucq powering over for the try. Diego Jurd converted to reduce the deficit to three points.
La Rochelle’s resilience slowed the Stormers’ scoring, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu maintained the hosts’ control with two well-taken penalties, sending the Stormers into the break with a 16-7 advantage.
Despite showing moments of attacking threat, La Rochelle struggled at the set piece. They conceded two penalties in quick succession, allowing the Stormers to apply sustained pressure, which culminated in hooker Andre-Hugo Venter diving over from the back of a driving maul. Feinberg-Mngomezulu was again unable to add the conversion, but the hosts extended their lead to 21-7.
The Stormers were briefly reduced to 14 men when tighthead prop Neethling Fouché was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, offering the visitors a foothold back into the contest.
La Rochelle responded with renewed intensity, stringing together multiple phases before replacement hooker Nikoloz Sutidze powered over from close range to narrow the deficit to seven points.
Any momentum gained by the visitors was short-lived, however, as the Stormers struck back almost immediately. A quick tap by Reinach caught the defence napping, creating space for Dylan Maart to finish out wide. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted to restore a 14-point advantage at 28-14.
Reinach remained influential and was again instrumental in the build-up to the Stormers’ next score, linking play before Warrick Gelant crossed for another well-worked try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu made no mistake with the conversion as the Stormers surged ahead 35-14.
The encounter was still far from done and dusted. Both teams continued to put and a brave fight. Nathan Bollengier went over the tryline for La Rochelle before Marcel Theunissen put the final nail in the coffin, handing the Stormers the win.
Player of the match: Stormers flank Paul de Villiers was a standout performer. The No. 6 produced crucial turnovers at key moments and consistently impacted open play, anchoring the Stormers’ defensive and attacking efforts.
The scorers:
For Stormers:
Tries: Maart 2, Zas, Gelant, Theunissen, Venter
Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3
Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2
For La Rochelle:
Tries: Lespiaucq, Sutidze, Bollengier
Cons: Jurd 3
Yellow card: Neethling Fouche (Stormers, 47 – high tackle)
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Wandisile Simelane
La Rochelle: 15 Nathan Bollengier, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Adrien Seguret, 12 Simeli Daunivucu, 11 Hoani Bosmorin, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Nolhann Couillaud, 8 Lucas Andjisseramatchi (captain), 7 Kirill Fraindt, 6 Charles Kante Samba, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Karl Sorin, 2 Quentin Lespiaucq, 1 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Nikoloz Sutidze, 17 Christian Luaki, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Simon Huchet, 20 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 21 Edouard Richer, 22 Thomas Berjon, 23 Dillyn Leyds.
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Joe James (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
