We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Tue 19 Jan 2016 | 03:19
Ashley Johnson's huge hit on Bryan Habana at the Stade Mayol

12
Comments

Ashley Johnson made this great hit late in Toulon's dramatic home victory over Wasps on Sunday evening. Fellow South African Bryan Habana broke from his own tryline but after collecting a cheeky chip and chase, converted hooker Johnson was there to demolish him.

The home Toulon crowd weren't happy about it, so referee Nigel Owens was urged to take a look with the TMO. As you can see above, it was a perfectly legal handle, and ruled as such.

Great hit by Johnson, and well received by Habana, who popped straight up.

Posted By: Grant Constable

12 Comments

  • armchairref
    11:00 PM 26/01/2016

    Habana was haming it up as always. Shame to see such a great player behaving like such a knob.

  • 10stonenumber10
    11:03 AM 22/01/2016

    Toulon aren't evil. I reckon that a day at Stade Mayol is more fun than Twickenham, but much like Twickenham some fans can't handle the atmosphere without turning into a football fan!

    It is a blunt generalisation, but NH clubs bring in SH players to install a SH culture and approach to the game. This is evident with Saracens, in my opinion their game plan is an evolution of South Africa at RWC07 and 11. When this became established, it filtered down through the club into the academy. It is beneficial to both club and country in the pursuit of an answer to the South, but it can be a little alienating to fans, some don't like change!

    The plan is simple enough. First, you sign some players. Second, you win a game. Then, you win the league. You win Europe. After all that, the increased ticket revenues, winning bonuses etc., you can bring in more coaches, medical staff, better youth structure, state of the art training equipment etc.

    Saracens went from sharing a ground with a football club to one of the top venues and academies in the country. Players like Burger and Brits have literally turned the league on its head, you can see Smit's influence in the scrum... when he was still about there were regular reports in SA newspapers about Sarries

    I suppose what I am saying is that an unfortunate side effect of this sort of evolution and rise in form is that it attracts "fair weather fans"... the promise of good food, electric atmosphere, alcohol in the stands, and a win is too much for some people to handle

  • colombes
    9:58 AM 22/01/2016

    It's true you can can compare Chelsea and Toulon as they are 2 historic clubs which were rebuild by the influence and the capitals of a man.

    But you actually can't compare both fans base.
    Stamford Bridge is for example famous to be full of snobs and the ambiance is generally quite cold.
    And even if i didn't like toulon crowd reaction with Simpson injury, you can't deny Mayol is one of the most exciting place to play rugby. From the pilou-pilu to the "Nice Matin" throwing celebration, it's not marketing, just tradition

    Furthermore, depsite the "expendables" team, Toulon is also famous for his academy. Did you know that historic players like Champ, Hueber, Herrero, Dominici, Delaigue, Mignoni... and actual ones like Maestri, Chiocchi, Orioli, Tuisova, Fresia, Belan... were formed by the club?

    I'm not a big fan of Toulon concept, but to accuse them to every evils on earth is a bit rich.

    Furthermore, would you say the same about Saracens? They also benefit Nigel Wray big money since 20 years with big historic and actual signatures despite the salary cap. How do you judge their "success"?

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:53 PM 21/01/2016

    I agree, they are a historic club, but over the last 10 years things have changed enormously, much like Chelsea did with Abramovich. By building a club, i don't mean physically starting a new team bricks and mortar style, I mean progressing from a homegrown French team into a World XV through the transfer market rather than academy. You know the teams better than I do, I can only go on what I have read in the papers

    Between 1992 and 2012 they were fairly quiet success-wise, a quality pro-d2 side, but lacking that final 5% for the Top14. A good fly half steers a team, look what Evans did for Quins. Wilko was one of the first big name signings, I feel his presence influenced a lot of players to take the money and move to the South of France. It only takes one or two big names for the floodgates to open, barely a month goes by without some top player showing interest in a move.

  • oliver
    3:26 PM 21/01/2016

    I'm not a Toulon supporter but you don't make any sense here.
    "Wilko-era was the best" and then you complain about recruiting "foreign legends"??
    Money got involved as soon as Boudjellal took over the club. And that's how he got Wilkinson to come over.

    Also there was no "building a club". The RCT's first French title goes back to 1931 and it was strong in the 80/90s.

    By the way, I can see the British crowds behave much better.......

    http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/11/foul-mouths-boo-boys-twickenham-england-all-blacks



    http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/11/foul-mouths-boo-boys-twickenham-england-all-blacks

  • danknapp
    11:11 PM 20/01/2016

    You can bet he'll take a bloody tumble the next time he sees Johnson in front of him.

  • reality
    9:58 PM 20/01/2016

    Am I the only one who thinks the real point of note is that Habana had two defenders block his path and he didn't dive? I don't know if he just forgot to or if he's turned over a new leaf.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:08 AM 20/01/2016

    Toulon are no longer a supporter's club. The early Wilko era was the best time, fresh to the Top14, building a club, then money got involved, they shipped half the team out for foreign legends and upped the pre-match show and antics. I think this put some of the "real" rugby fans off, and attracted casual football supporters.

    Due to their success, Toulon have also become the betting man's team in France. When there is money on it, people act like animals.

  • 7:51 PM 19/01/2016

    Wayne Barnes would have given a yellow.

  • mozz87
    7:33 PM 19/01/2016

    That Toulon crowd are utterly classless, when joe Simpson went down with a head knock (I think) they then booed when he got back up and joined his team. The highest paid team have the most disrespectful crowd and the players who dive all the time, coincidence...? Hate to sound like a rugby bore but is anyone happy to see things going this way?

  • elvis15
    5:43 PM 19/01/2016

    BOOM!

  • danknapp
    4:57 PM 19/01/2016

    Someone stop that train!

Related Articles