Toulon’s three-year domination of the European Cup fell to the boot of Maxime Machenaud, who kicked the winning penalty 90 seconds from time, moments after missing one from in front of the posts. Racing 92, who at one point in the first half were creaking, controlled the final quarter to reach the semi-finals for the first time and a date with Leicester in Nottingham.
Toulon had beaten Racing with a last-minute penalty when the clubs met in a Top 14 match in Lille a fortnight ago, while the Paris club went out at this stage a year ago to a late kick at home against Saracens. But Sunday’s game turned when Matt Giteau, making his first appearance for four months, tired and his opposite number Daniel Carter took charge, putting Racing in attacking positions and cutting out risk, despite being virtually on one leg after aggravating a knee injury in the opening half.
Carter and Giteau appeared in the World Cup final last year having made their tournament debuts in 2003 and this all-French quarter-final had a distinct multinational feel. Carter started in sprightly fashion, kicking a penalty in the opening minute and converting Juan Imhoff’s interception try shortly after the restart.
The New Zealander was targeted in defence by his erstwhile international midfield partner Ma’a Nonu and needed treatment on his heavily strapped right leg at the end of the first half. He played on with a pronounced limp that gradually eased, delegating the kicking duties to Machenaud who missed his first two before his third equalised the scores six minutes into the second half.
Toulon, on top up front and in the lineout, had by then scored 13 points without reply after trailing 10-0.
The first eight minutes yielded 17 points but the next 62 produced 16 as the game settled down. Maxime Mermoz’s loose pass had provided Imhoff with his try and the centre later wasted an opportunity he created by stepping between two defenders and ignoring James O’Connor outside him. But Charles Ollivon’s try, which followed Jonathan Pelissie’s snipe and Josua Tuisova’s strength, highlighted a difference between the sides.
Toulon were able to create off their own possession while Racing, whose ball presentation at the breakdown was suspect throughout, relied more on individual initiative from poor kicks or turnovers and they had to overcome injuries to Alexandre Dumoulin and their captain Dimitri Szarzewski. Carter’s precise tactical kicking relieved pressure at crucial moments and after largely being outplayed in the opening hour, they were on the front foot when it mattered at the end. Pelissie’s penalty at the end of the first half made it 10-10 at the interval, but goal-kicking was to cost Toulon. The scrum-half two kicks as did the full-back Delon Armitage from long range.
Machenaud, summoned to duty because Carter did not want to put pressure on his standing leg, found his range after the break when Pelissie gave the holders the lead for the first, and only, time. It lasted two minutes. Pelissie brought Toulon level with 21 minutes remaining, but they faded as an attacking force when Giteau left the field.
When Machenaud hooked wide a 25m penalty in front of the posts, the match looked set for extra time. Later, he was given a further chance: this time he was on target.
The aim of Racing, who move into a new 32,000 all-seater stadium next year, is to emulate Toulon at home and in Europe. “One of the reasons I came here was to play in the Champions Cup and to make the semi-finals is really pleasing,” Carter said. “We have never reached this stage before so it is an historic day for the club. My knee will be fine for the game against Leicester. I only suffered a tweak and ran itoff.”
Racing 92 Dulin; Rokococko, Goosen, Dumoulin (Andreu, 10), Imhoff; Carter, Machenaud; Ben Arous (Vartanov, 78), Szarzewski (capt; Chat,24), Ducalcon (Castrogiovanni, 70), Charteris, Van der Merwe (Carizza, 57), Lauret (Nyanga, 70), Le Roux, Masoe.
Try Imhoff. Con Carter. Pens Carter, Machenaud 3.
Toulon D Armitage; Tuisova, Mermoz (Bastareaud, 74), Nonu, O’Connor; Giteau (Taylor, 61), Pelissie (Escande, 74); Fresia (Chiocci, 44), Guirado (capt; Orioli, 64), Saulo (Chilachava, h‑t), Gorgodze, Taofifenua, Smith (Lassalle, 64), Ollivon (S Armitage, h‑t), Vermeulen.
Try Ollivon. Con Pelissie. Pens Pelissie 3.
Referee W Barnes (England). Att 15,340.
