WATCH: Virimi Vakatawa's blunder costs Racing 92

January 18, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

France and Racing 92 centre Virimi Vakatawa had a rollercoaster game in his side’s 29-23 loss at home to Toulon in the TOP14 on Sunday.

Vakatawa's blunder in goal cost Racing 92 dearly as his Parisian-club lost by just six points. Vakatawa jogged into the in-goal area after a wonder offload from winger Teddy Thomas. With Vakatawa needing to just dot down the ball, Gabin Villiere snuck up behind the centre and put in a thunderous hit to dislodge the ball out of Vakatawa's hands.

🚫 DENIED 🚫

Gabin Villière denies Virimi Vakatawa a certain try 😮

pic.twitter.com/qsiBl7YaBi
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) January 18, 2021

At the time, Racing 92 were down 17-3 after just 20-minutes after scores from Swan Rebbadj and Baptiste Serin with Eben Etzebeth playing a key role in both scores.

The blunder occurred as Vakatawa casually jogged into the in-goal, failing to put the ball down quickly as Toulon winger Gabin Villiere snuck up behind him.

Vakatawa's blunder didn't impact his game too much with the French International playing a major role in Racing 92's comeback.

He linked up with Teddy Thomas following a Finn Rusell cross kick to set up a try for Wenceslas Lauret after the half hour mark.

Soon after, he broke through a gap from a lineout off a Russell pass to put Teddy Thomas in for a score that would give Racing 92 a 20-17 lead just before the break.

A penalty from Louis Carbonel saw the sides go into the break all square. Maxime Machenaud added a further three points from the tee early in the second half but that would be the final points Racing scored on the night as Teddy Iribaren missed just before the hour mark while Carbonel slotted three of his four shots at goal in the second 40 to see his side to victory.