We previously reported on the 'disrespectful' comments from La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara, following La Rochelle's loss to Toulouse in the Top 14 final last Saturday, which received understandable backlash from angry Toulouse supporters.
Following a wonderful solo try towards the end of the game from Romain Ntamack, Toulouse were crowned champions of the Top 14 for the 22nd time, adding yet another Bouclier to their trophy cabinet.
However, O'Gara's salty post-match words came as a surprise from a man who is generally wise and fair when speaking:
It's an average team facing us that profited from our mistakes.
Suffice to say, it's an enormous "statoos" and I'm not okay with that.
No no no, just to be clear, I can accept defeat if they had scored four "bozes" but we didn't see that.
Ronan O'Gara Reels Back Disrespectful Toulouse Comments
🎙️ Ronan O’Gara après la finale :
« Non ce n’était pas un grand Stade Toulousain ! » pic.twitter.com/8BIDq9LLPA— Sud Radio Rugby (@SudRadioRugby) June 17, 2023
READ HERE: Ronan O'Gara Didn't Mince His Words On Potential Johnny Sexton Ban
ROG appeared on Off The Ball this morning, where he acknowledged that his comments were wrong, and paid respect to Toulouse and their history.
One or two of my comments were small or disappointing. I don't know if the people of France listen. I'm sure they do, but I think I showed disrespect by saying that it was an average Toulouse team.
But this is a team that as won five European Cups and have 22 Boucliers. So for anyone that played for them or an ex-player, those comments are disappointing and small on my behalf and I except that now.
And I think it's important I say that because if you're a Jauzion, or a Dusatoir, a Yannick Nynaga, or Trevor Brennan, or Fabien Pelous, that's their club.
What I'm trying to do with La Rochelle is trying to enforce a will power that we can match these guys, but at the same time you can't obviously diss them and diss their history because it's so powerful.
When it was put to him that his words could be explained because they were made in the heat of the moment, O'Gara dismissed this notion and did not want to be excused.
However, he did say that what he meant was on the day he believed it was an 'average' performance from Toulouse, but that in general they are a top side.
🔥 ¡JUGADOR DE MOMENTOS IMPORTANTES! Romain Ntamack y una corrida de ensueño para el try de Toulouse. 🔴⚫#Top14 #ESPNenStarPlus pic.twitter.com/DjQLJoqLX6
— ScrumRugby (@ScrumESPN) June 17, 2023
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