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Montpellier lose their cool as Racing book Clermont semi-final
By Iain Strachan
Joe Rokocoko's late try made sure of Racing 92's place in the Top 14 semi-finals after a tense 22-13 victory away to Montpellier.
Hosts Montpellier finished third in the table in the regular season, 14 points ahead of the capital city side.
But it was the visitors who started strongly at Altrad Stadium on Saturday, Leone Nakarawa selling a dummy to dot down in the 15th minute and Dan Carter converting, Racing team-mate Yannick Nyanga having been denied a try moments earlier for entering touch.
A sustained period of Montpellier pressure led to Benoit Paillaugue taking a penalty quickly and scoring for the home team in the 19th minute, Willie du Plessis adding the extras.
Montpellier were back on level terms for just four minutes, though, before Teddy Thomas crossed and Carter converted to send Racing back in front.
Demetri Catrakilis sent over penalties for Montpellier either side of half-time, but they lost Francois Steyn to the sin bin in the 48th minute for a dangerous tackle on Nyanga.
After a nervous second half from both teams, Rokocoko was found in space out on the right and crossed with six minutes to go to afford Racing some breathing room.
And although Carter missed the conversion attempt, he dispatched a late penalty to make absolutely sure after Jannie Du Plessis was sent off for throwing punches.
Racing will face Clermont, who finished second in the table, in the last four in Marseille next Saturday.
C'est terminé ! le Racing ira à Marseille affronter les Clermontois ! Félicitations à tous ! #MHRR92 pic.twitter.com/HnFTU3NrPb
— Racing 92 (@racing92) May 20, 2017
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Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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