Alright, folks! Gather around, because here comes the lowdown on a match that was more chaotic than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. La Rochelle faced off against UBB, and it’s safe to say that the Girondins were about as capable as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. Final score: 32-22. Let’s dive into who shone and who had their face planted firmly in the turf.
The Tops
First off, let’s talk about Teddy Thomas. I mean, this guy was shining like a trophy in a dentist’s office! After recovering from an injury, he stepped back into the center with the grace of a gazelle. And bam! Just like that, he scored two tries. It’s as if he thought, “Why not just make this look easy?” So many defenders fell to his footwork it became a mini audition for a new dance show! He kicked things off with a superb first try, snatching a delightful cross from Dillyn Leyds before spinning past two defenders. In rugby, when you spin past opponents, it’s usually a good thing… unless you end up in a spin class instead!
Jostled last week by their manager Ronan O’Gara after the rout in Bayonne, the Rochelais responded in the best way this Sunday evening, on the field. Logical victory against the Bordelais!
The match film > pic.twitter.com/mW3lluhu20
Brice Dulin also had his moments in the spotlight. He was like Swiss cheese—full of holes, but in a good way! His fourth try was the result of quick thinking after a penalty and he showed off some impressive edgework with a cheeky 50-22 kick that had fans salivating. “Look, Ma! No hands!”
And let’s not forget Temo Matiu! Coming off the bench like a firecracker at a New Year’s party, he scored a double in the second half that would’ve made even the most seasoned forwards weep. Not to mention, he turned that bench into the hottest seat in the house! It sounds like UBB dated a wallflower and the whole Girondin collective was suddenly thrust into the limelight—or maybe just a disco ball turning above them.
The Flops
Now, let’s flip the rug over and address the unfortunate souls who tripped over their own feet. Poor Bordeaux-Béglais’ center started strong, defending valiantly against Jonathan Danty, but as the saying goes, “What goes up must come down,” and he came down like a piñata at a toddler’s birthday. A missed kick followed by an unfortunate head-to-head tackle sent him off early, leaving UBB as clueless as a cat at a dog show.
And how about Carlü Sadie? He looked like he was auditioning for the role of “Stuck in the Mud.” Each scrum was met with him falling back like he was trying to avoid an awkward conversation at a wedding! His indiscipline did him in faster than you can say “penalty.”
Mateo Garcia? Bless him! He’s the rugby version of “on the job training”—the problem is, he didn’t seem to get the memo about how the job works! Twice he kicked the ball straight into touch, which is the rugby equivalent of stepping onto a dance floor and missing the beat. His creativity was as absent as a sensible suggestion in a pub when England’s playing.
La Rochelle Ratings
- 15. Brice Dulin: 8/10
- 14. Jack Nowell: 5/10
- 13. Teddy Thomas: 8/10
- 12. Jonathan Danty: 5/10
- 11. Dillyn Leyds: 5.5/10
- 10. Antoine Hastoy: 6/10
- 9. Kerr-Barlow: 6/10
- 8. Grégory Alldritt: 6.5/10
- 7. Paul Boudehent: 6/10
- 6. Judge Cancoriet: 4.5/10
- 5. Will Skelton: 6.5/10
- 4. Thomas Lavault: 5.5/10
- 3. Anthony Wins: 5.5/10
- 2. Third Day: 6/10
- 1. Reda Wardi: 7.5/10
UBB Ratings
- 15. Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 5.5/10
- 14. Damian Penaud: 5.5/10
- 13. Pablo Uberti: 6/10
- 12. Yoram Moefana: 2.5/10
- 11. Arthur Retière: 6/10
- 10. Mateo Garcia: 3.5/10
- 9. Yann Lesgourgues: 3.5/10
- 8. Marko Gazzotti: 4.5/10
- 7. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer: 3.5/10, replaced by Temo Matiu (47th): 7/10
- 6. Mahamadou Diaby: 4/10
- 5. Jonny Gray: 4/10
- 4. Guido Petti: not rated, replaced by Cyril Cazeaux (32nd): 4.5/10
- 3. Carlü Sadie: 2.5/10, replaced by Sipili Falatea (30th): 6/10
- 2. Connor On: 4/10
- 1. Ugo Boniface: 3/10, replaced by Jefferson Poirot (30th): 5.5/10
In conclusion, La Rochelle stepped up and showed what they’re made of, while UBB’s players may want to pick up a book on rugby fundamentals—or maybe watch a few reruns of classic matches. Let’s hope they’ll be less confused about which way the try line is next weekend!
In a match marked by indiscipline, La Rochelle was able to get the better of UBB (32-22). Teddy Thomas once again shone in the center, while many Girondins were unrecognizable…
The tops
After his double in Toulouse, everyone was waiting to see him again in the center. Recovered from his injury, he was still aligned with the number 13 on his back. He did it again with another double. But it was clear on the wing that he scored. He scored his team’s first try, following a very nice cross at the foot of Dillyn Leyds; the second well shifted at the end of the line by Brice Dulin. Also on the menu, sharp ball grips which often allowed him to rebound on his opponents and stay ahead. Solid defensively, he finished the meeting with 41 meters covered with the ball in hand and two defenders beaten. He is definitely the center of attention!
Jostled last week by their manager Ronan O’Gara after the rout in Bayonne, the Rochelais responded in the best way this Sunday evening, on the field. Logical victory against the Bordelais!
The match film > pic.twitter.com/mW3lluhu20
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) October 20, 2024
The back of La Rochelle had fun this Sunday evening! He did just about everything for Bordeaux. There are of course his achievements. Well offset by Antoine Hastoy, he finished in a corner. The former Racing 92 player scored the fourth try with a well-felt low kick. He is also at the conclusion by quickly playing a penalty five meters from the line before flattening. There is also to his advantage this assist for Teddy Thomas, as mentioned above. And how can we not note this excellent 50-22 (28th)? Comfortable under high balls as usual, he covered 46 meters with the ball. In short, Brice Dulin…
Substitute at the kick-off of the match, Temo Matiu was the central link of a Bordeaux-Béglais bench much more convincing than the holders. The young bombshell from the third row allowed herself to score a double, first with an achievement full of power and speed, then a try full of opportunism. Often in the lead, he confirmed to Marcel-Deflandre his very good start to the season. He can clearly rise in the hierarchy in this Girondin collective.
The flops
The Bordeaux-Béglais center’s match had started well, since on two occasions he was able to defend effectively against Jonathan Danty’s charges. In attack, on the other hand, he got rid of the ball too easily, attempting a little kick over the defense, looking for a foul (28th). This lost ball brought Brice Dulin’s 50-22. Above all, he was sent off in the 34th minute for a head-to-head tackle on Danty. His absence cost the Girondins dearly.
Just like Carlü Sadie, Ugo Boniface suffered greatly in the melee, falling back in each test of strength. Despite a good scratch at the start of the game, his match was still weighed down by his indiscipline. On a maul, while Mr. Trainini warned him twice, the left-hander made a mistake. Like Sadie, he was replaced after half an hour of play.
Blocked on his first ball of the match, Mateo Garcia quickly understood that the evening could be complicated. Even if he was rather very lucid on two complicated balls in his 22 meters, he made several errors. One of his kicks went directly into touch, which did not allow the Bordelo-Béglais to escape the La Rochelle pressure. He was penalized twice for anticipating his rise too much during defensive touches. In the game, he lacked creativity, and the UBB offensive system clearly lacked speed. Finally, he turned his back on Brice Dulin on the penalty quickly played from behind. The latter took the opportunity to score his second try of the game. He finished 2/3 against the poles.
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Notes from La Rochelle:
- 15. Brice Dulin: 8/10
- 14. Jack Nowell : 5/10
- 13. Teddy Thomas : 8/10
- 12. Jonathan Danty: 5/10
- 11. Dillyn Leyds : 5.5/10
- 10. Antoine Hastoy : 6/10
- 9. Kerr-Barlow distance : 6/10
- 8. Grégory Alldritt : 6.5/10
- 7. Paul Boudehent : 6/10
- 6. Judge Cancoriet: 4.5/10
- 5. Will Skelton : 6,5/10
- 4. Thomas Lavault : 5,5/10
- 3. Anthony Wins : 5,5/10
- 2. Third Day : 6/10
- 1. Reda Wardi: 7.5/10
The notes of the UBB:
- 15. Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 5.5/10
- 14. Damian Penaud: 5.5/10
- 13. Pablo Uberti: 6/10
- 12. Yoram Moefana: 2.5/10
- 11. Arthur Retière: 6/10
- 10. Mateo Garcia: 3.5/10
- 9. Yann Lesgourgues : 3,5/10
- 8. Marko Gazzotti: 4.5/10
- 7. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer: 3.5/10, replaced by Temo Matiu (47th): 7/10
- 6. Mahamadou Diaby : 4/10
- 5. Jonny Gray : 4/10
- 4. Guido Petti: not rated, replaced by Cyril Cazeaux due to injury (32nd): 4.5/10
- 3. Carlü Sadie: 2.5/10, replaced by Sipili Falatea (30th): 6/10
- 2. Connor On : 4/10
- 1. Ugo Boniface: 3/10, replaced by Jefferson Poirot (30th): 5.5/10
