The tactic that paid off for Toulouse
SPOTLIGHT: Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou revealed a key tactic his side employed which successfully paid off in their 20-8 Champions Cup victory over the Sharks.
The lock was named player-of-the-match for an outstanding overall performance which included the opening try of the match.
The visitors dominated the set-piece and particularly the lineout throughout the contest.
When asked by @rugby365com if targeting the Sharks lineout was part of the plan, the big lock stated that it was a focus point for his side.
“We knew the Sharks are a great team when it comes to set-piece – scrums and lineouts,” said Meafou.
“So it was a focus for us during the week to disrupt their set-piece.
“They’ve disrupted us as well.
“We’d like to think that our lineout and our maul is very strong, but they were able to steal a few balls.
“That’s something we’ve got to work on in the week leading up to next week [against Leicester]
“We knew that they’re a class lineout team that consists of international players that can change the game.
“It was definitely the point of difference for us where we wanted to disrupt their set-piece.
“We feel we could’ve done a bit better and could’ve done a bit more and maybe come away with a bonus-point win.
“The reality is we only got four points and we’ll have to live with that.”
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Springbok Eben Etzebeth has been absent from the Sharks side following a concussion he suffered in early December and Meafou admitted that he looked forward to facing the double world champion.
“Yes, definitely, personally as a player you want to be the best,” Meafou told @rugby365com.
“And to be best you’ve got to face the best.
“I was definitely looking forward to that match-up, but unfortunately he didn’t play today [Saturday] whether he was resting or injured.
“The locks that stepped in for him are also world-class.
“It’s not disappointing but you want to face the best players in the world and he’s definitely one of the best locks.
“It is what it is and hopefully I can face him another time.”
Image credit @EPCR
