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Juan Cruz Mallía scored Toulouse’e one, and only, try in their Champions Cup title winning victory over La Rochelle. The Argentine center went over for a 59th minute try. The score broke the deadlock; the teams had been tied at 12-12 in what was a back-and-forth arm wrestle.
The try was a rare clean break in what was a tight contest. Both teams battered away through their forwards and kicked deep into the opposition 22. Opportunities were rare which saw the two fly halves doing all of the scoring until Mallía crossed for his try.
The score changed the shape of the match. Toulouse were seven points ahead with one quarter of the contest remaining. The men in red added a further three points before La Rochelle hit-back with their one try of the match. Ultimately, the teams scored once each with the goal-kickers doing the rest of the scoring. Mallía was the hero of the win for Toulouse.
Mallía joined Toulouse earlier this year as a medical joker. He was subsequently joined by Santiago Chocobares to give Toulouse an unprecedented two Argentine centers. The duo have started together in Top 14 matches while Mallía made his European Champions Cup debut in the 2021 final against La Rochelle.
Both Mallía and Chocobares are on short-term deals with Toulouse and are likely to be hot-property for the 2021-2022 season. They are also both to be busy for their country. Mario Ledesma named the midfield duo in a 67-man roster for upcoming international duty.
