Toulouse dominated possession but lost to Pau

Toulouse had 52 percent of the ball in their match against Pau on Sunday but still lost 34-14. Despite having more possession, they struggled to convert that into points, allowing Pau to dominate the game.

Pau’s defensive success stood out

Pau made 26 successful offensive tackles during the match, compared to only seven by Toulouse. This statistic highlights Pau’s ability to disrupt Toulouse’s attacks, even though Toulouse had more of the ball.

Pau’s tries sealed the win

Pau took control early with tries from Facundo Isa and Tumua Manu. Toulouse managed to reduce the deficit to 17-14 at halftime, but Pau’s second-half tries from Isa and Beka Gorgadze secured their victory with an offensive bonus.

Possession doesn’t guarantee progress

According to the LNR’s statistics, Toulouse had 52 percent of possession and 49 percent of territory. However, having the ball does not necessarily mean making progress or scoring points, as shown by the outcome of the match.

Offensive tackles matter more than total tackles

While Toulouse made 146 successful tackles overall, Pau made 133. However, Pau’s 26 offensive tackles were nearly four times more than Toulouse’s, showing that the type of tackle, not just the number, can impact the game.

Pau faced disciplinary challenges

Pau conceded 14 penalties and received two yellow cards during the match, twice as many as Toulouse. Despite these disciplinary issues, they still managed to win, showing their ability to control the game despite setbacks.