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Novès hails his champions

Sunday 29th June 2008

Toulouse coach Guy Novès hailed his players' capacity to triumph in adversity after seeing them become champions of France for a 17th time.

Novès's side finished a marathon season in style as they defeated Clermont-Auvergne 26-20 in Saturday's Top 14 final at the Stade de France in Paris.

Toulouse lost to Munster in the final of the Heineken Cup last month, and were then pipped to top spot in the Top 14's regular season by Clermont.

They have also been struck by a mountain of injuries in a physically demanding campaign that has been longer than normal because of last year's World Cup.

Novès was therefore surprised by his team's ability to dig deep when it really mattered.

"The players have shown magnificent character in this final," said the 54-year-old, who saw William Servat and Maxime Medard score his side's tries and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Maleli Kunavore and Valentin Courrent kick the rest of the points.

"This is my 10th final and my players continue to surprise me.

"I didn't think they would be able to find the energy to get through all the difficulties that we have experienced this season.

"Like the injuries to a number of key players [including France backs Vincent Clerc, Florian Fritz and Clement Poitrenaud], the day less of recovery before the final, the amount of competitions we have played in - we played three more European matches than other French teams.

"But everyone at the club fought hard - from the president to the board to the coaches. We have never felt like more of a club."

In a pulsating encounter in the French capital, the two sides went into the interval level at 10-10 but Toulouse had the better of the second half.

Full-back Medard's try with 20 minutes left was the clincher as his side managed to see out the contest, despite conceding a last-gasp score to prop Davit Zirakashvili.

Toulouse, the most successful club in France, struggled in both the European and domestic competitions last season.

But they have bounced back well, in testing circumstances, and Novès is delighted to be able to make the critics eat their words.

"I am very sorry for those who criticised us," he added.

"It's a great satisfaction for me, especially seeing as some said we were in crisis last season.

"I hope these people will eat some humble pie - I am happy to win this title because I know it will annoy a lot of people."

Clermont have now lost back-to-back Top 14 finals - they were defeated by Stade Français 12 months ago - but will nevertheless be delighted with the progress they have made this campaign.

They showed signs last season they were set to be a force to be reckoned with in French rugby, and they have lived up to the hype.

Coach Vern Cotter said: "I am proud of the run the players have gone on this year.

"But we didn't get into this match and we know we can play better than that. That is two finals we have lost now; that is enough.

"When I look back at the season as a whole, the team has grown. But we just weren't there [in the final], we are conscious of that."

Meanwhile, Byron Kelleher intends to stay at Toulouse for "as long as possible" after admitting he has fallen in love with the club.

The New Zealander joined Toulouse at the conclusion of last year's World Cup, and celebrated his first season with a championship medal following Saturday's 26-20 victory over Clermont-Auvergne in the Top 14 final.

The scrum-half has another 12 months left on his contract but wants to stay on longer at the French giants, even though he is exempt from turning out for the All Blacks while he plays outside New Zealand.

"I am very happy," said Kelleher, who played superbly in Saturday's final at the Stade de France.

"The World Cup was a big disappointment for me [New Zealand lost in the quarter-finals to hosts France] but I came to Toulouse and I have been adopted by the people here.

"I have been integrated into the team and have become a leader.

"We lost the final of the Heineken Cup so I am so happy to have won the [Top 14] title."

The 31-year-old, who was in tears at the end of the win over Clermont, added: "On Wednesday, I am going to renegotiate my contract and try to stay here as long as possible."