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Pumas were in the thick of the action in the Top 14 this weekend. Three backs scored tries in decisive matches; all of which were winning efforts. Bordeaux and Toulouse secured their places in the Top 14 Semi Finals while Perpignan defeated Mont de Marsan in the access match to avoid relegation to the Pro D2.
Córdoba back Juan Cruz Mallía scored a second half tty for Toulouse. The reigning Top 14 champions were 33-28 winners over La Rochelle in a replay of the 2021 Top 14 Final. Mallía scored the third try for the winning side. Mallía and Eagle David Ainu’u were both involved in the win.
The try saw Mallía chasing and gathering a high kick. He then had the speed to finish it off in the corner. In defeating La Rochelle, Toulouse secured their place in the Top 14 Semi Finals. Toulouse will take-on Castres in a derby match-up.
Bordeaux will face Montpellier in the second Top 14 Semi Final. The match will take place on Saturday, also in Nice. They booked their spot with a 36-16 win over Racing 92 on Sunday. The match involved a Pumas match-up in the form of Santiago Cordero vs Juan Imhoff.
Santiago Cordero won the dual as he was a try scorer. His team were also the winners. Cordero’s try came in the first half. It was the first try by Bordeaux in the barrage play-off.
Rosario’s Jerónimo de la Fuente scored a second half try for Perpignan. The score was not a trademark carry from the inside center; rather, it was a soccer-skilled score. de la Fuente toed the ball ahead and regathered to score.
The try was the first of the second half. The teams had been locked at 16-16 at half-time. de la Fuente’s try was the first of three in the second half by the Catalans. Perpignan went on to win 41-16. The outcome means that the Top 14 next season will involve Perpignan with Bayonne replacing Biarritz.
