At first glance the first final of the new-look European Champions Cup era was barely distinguishable from the Heineken Cup it replaced.
Toulon won again, extending their title sequence to three in a row, and Clermont lost again to complete yet another campaign of nearly-men frustration. Plus ça change, as they say in Whitton High Street.
Look a little closer, though, and this was an occasion overflowing with potential significance. From Stuart Lancaster’s perspective, in particular, there were flashing amber warning lights all over the place concerning this autumn’s Rugby World Cup. From Drew Mitchell’s scorcher of a match-winning try to Matt Giteau’s consistent authority and Leigh Halfpenny’s goalkicking excellence, here was clear evidence that Twickenham will not be an exclusively English playground during the pool matches, let alone the knockout stages.
Given the Australian Rugby Union has redrafted its rules on picking senior overseas-based players, it is more than a fair bet that Giteau – and quite possibly Mitchell, too – will be part of the Wallabies squad for the tournament. On this evidence both have much to offer and can teach England’s less experienced three-quarters a thing or two about big-match performance. “It’s not for me to say if he should be selected or not but I would think he’s in the top 30 players in Australia,” said Giteau, having watched his good friend elude six Clermont tackles en route to his 70th-minute score. “For me he always performs on the big stage.”
Giteau is also happy to twirl a cane to order on these occasions, combining expertly with the equally talented Juan Martín Hernández. “I enjoy playing in these big games,” Giteau said. “I’ve always been reasonably confident in my own ability, without being arrogant. Given the opportunity it would be great to play Test match rugby again.” As yet he has received no direct invitations from Australia but his sense of excitement is evident.
“I signed over here knowing that I wouldn’t play Test rugby again. Now the rules have changed it’s a possibility. I had no idea it was coming but I’m happy it has. If I am fortunate enough to get selected – whether I am starting or just in a group of 30 – I would be proud to try and help the young players along.”
Which, as is now routine, brings us to Lancaster and the vexed case of Steffon Armitage. Invited to play a more roving role while Chris Masoe, Juan Smith, Ali Williams and Bakkies Botha took care of the ruck-shop, the exiled flanker still topped the tackle count and thundered around like a man with a number of timely points to prove. On pure playing grounds alone there is absolutely no doubt Armitage – an integral cog in Toulon’s unprecedented hat-trick – should make the wider World Cup training squad of 45 to be named in just over a fortnight. Whether he does or not will depend, in equal measure, on politics and Lancaster’s continuing loyalty to alternative options such as Northampton’s Calum Clark.
Nick Abendanon, despite the splendid chip-and-regather try which momentarily threatened to spoil Toulon’s latest party, is less likely to make it but his ability with ball in hand remains a delight.
Had Brock James not tweaked a thigh in the warm-up and Fritz Lee been fully match fit, Clermont might have taken more advantage of Wesley Fofana’s early interception try. Instead they became merely the latest side to founder on the jagged rocks of Toulon’s ultra-physical defensive line.
Once they squeeze themselves ahead, the champions are particularly hard to stop and Mathieu Bastareaud’s well-worked try just before the interval did wonders for their self-belief. The collective desire to deliver a suitably grand send-off for their three soon-to-retire heavyweights Williams, Botha and Carl Hayman – the trio’s names were even stitched into the inside of the team’s jerseys – and Mitchell’s coup de grâce duly did the rest.
Botha has now won three Super Rugby titles and three European ones, as well as a World Cup. Halfpenny – or “Demi Cent” as he is now being dubbed – also now has a full quiver of Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, Anglo-Welsh Cup and grand slam successes. Toulon may have loads of money but the French champions also have the good sense to sign committed people rather than mercenaries. Saturday’s can-can dancers – with their petticoats in team colours – were a novelty but it is Toulon’s can-do attitude towards recruitment that is taking them – regardless of the tournament they play in – to places others cannot reach.
Clermont Auvergne Abendanon; Nakaitaci (Delany, 67), Davies, Fofana, Nalaga (Rougerie, 54); Lopez, Parra (Radosavljevic, 56); Debaty (Domingo, 47), Kayser (Ulugia, 63), Zirakashvili (Ric, 66), Cudmore, Vahaamahina (Pierre, 67), Bonnaire, Chouly (capt), Lee (Bardy, 54).
Tries Fofana, Abendanon. Con Lopez. Pens Lopez 2.
Toulon Halfpenny; Mitchell, Bastareaud, Hernández (Wulf, 66), Habana; Giteau, Tillous-Borde; Chiocci (Menini, 48), Guirado (Orioli, 63), Hayman (capt; Chilachava, 63-76), Botha (Taofifénua, 47), Williams, Smith (Fernández Lobbe, 58), Armitage, Masoe.
Tries Bastareaud, Mitchell. Con Halfpenny. Pens Halfpenny 4.
Referee N Owens (Wales). Att 56,622.
