“I’m going to remember him all my life”: they tell of Romain Ntamack’s anthology test in the final of the Top 14

2023-06-18 06:40:47

He received congratulations from Emmanuel Macron in the locker room, a pat on the thigh as a tribute from the manager of La Rochelle Ronan O’Gara, and all his buddies from the Stade Toulousain overjoyed on the back in the en – goal of the Maritimes. In a wild 70m run and a test of the coronation in the final of Top 14Romain Ntamack overturned this match and again confirmed his status as an exceptional player. A moment of grace in the 78th minute told by those who lived it closely.

Romain Ntamack, opening half author of the test: “Very happy that there were not ten more meters”

“I’m going to keep it all my life, that’s for sure. I don’t even know if I was dreaming of that when I was young… I don’t see the space right away, even if I realize that there is a surplus. I see I have a little time, I try to shift when it (Seuteni, the center of La Rochelle, Ed.) pass. There, an interval is created. Afterwards, I try to accelerate despite the cramps and finish this race in the best possible way. I ended up on my heels, with the cramps that were there. I am very happy that there were not ten more meters.

It’s the first time I’ve cried after a game. All the stress came down all of a sudden, and with the added emotion that rose on this test. If I didn’t have this collective with me to raise my head after this missed penalty, I wouldn’t have been able to go between the posts. I don’t know if I told myself that I had to catch up, but it may have worked. I’m extraordinarily lucky to have teammates alongside me who believe in it to the end. »

François Cros, third line of Toulouse: “I try to follow him, but I have a cramp”

“Romain is terribly angry when he misses this touch in the 75th on our penalty. It shows what a champion he is, because he manages to put his head back in the stride. It may give him extra soul to go to the end.

It’s crazy as action. It’s magnificent, he scored this last try which put us back in front at the last minute. The action starts from afar and afterwards, it’s an incredible feeling. I try to follow him, but I cramp after ten meters (laughter). »

Romain Ntamack was congratulated by all his partners for his trial. AFP/Frank Fife AFP or licensors

Clément Poitrenaud, coach of three-quarters of Stade Toulouse: “In the stands, we explode”

“I kept saying into my microphone to those who were on the edge that we were going to score, that we were going to do it. We felt that physically, they were starting to lower their foot and that by holding the ball a little, there would be opportunities. I believed in our lucky stars, and it worked. Now, you can never predict such an end. But in terms of enjoyment, it’s quite extraordinary.

In the stands, we explode. Like all Toulouse fans in fact, whether they are in the stadium or in Toulouse. It’s incredible to win this final in the last seconds. I’m happy for Romain. It is a just reward for what he has given this season. I am very happy and very proud that it is him who managed to free us in this final. »

Émile Ntamack, father of the player and former three-quarter Toulouse: “It’s a father’s day”

“It’s a terrible dramaturgy in terms of emotion. You can’t believe it. He can’t find the key on a penalty, you say to yourself: Ouch, ouch, ouch, there’s not much time left. But that’s also the little star of the champions, those who go looking for something. He doesn’t give up, he has the merit of believing in it and then of running this game of titans.

What do we talk about when we see each other? He didn’t believe it, and neither did I. We were just happy. I told him : It’s a father’s day, I take. There was already the little brother (Theo) who brought back the Shield of Hopes last week. And there tonight, it’s Romain. We never tire of seeing our children happy. »

Ronan O’Gara, manager of La Rochelle: “What an athlete, what a player”

“There is a bad decision at the end, but congratulations to Romain Ntamack for scoring a try like that. What an athlete, what a player. It was an outstanding try, you deserve to win with that. One of their best players was given an opportunity and he broke down the door to score a try.

It was a bad decision (by Seuteni), but it happens. When you defend with forwards behind you, you need to be more connected. Everyone is going to talk about that because it’s the decisive action, but there were other things in this match as well. There is danger in this action, but it remains an exceptional thing that Ntamack accomplishes. »