Rugby Round-Up: La Rochelle Roast Bordeaux Bègles (32-22)
Well, well, well! Stade Rochelais just threw a party and forgot to send an invitation to Union Bordeaux Bègles! With a commanding victory of 32-22, La Rochelle reminded everyone that they’re still in this Top 14 race—despite last weekend’s blunder against Bayonne, where they didn’t just lose, they got swept like a bad pile of leaves! In rugby terms, that’s a “clean up on aisle five” situation.
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Teddy Thomas Turns Up the Heat
Teddy Thomas was not just on fire; he was like a pyrotechnics display at a rock concert! Scoring twice in quick succession (5′, 17′), he made defenders look as useful as a chocolate teapot. His performance was a delightful mix of power, speed, and agility, reminiscent of a gazelle on an espresso high. Let’s not forget his stunning 41 meters covered with the ball—talk about running your legs off!
Brice Dulin: Dazzling or Just Dulin-icious?
And then there’s Brice Dulin—Sparklier than a disco ball at a Saturday night fever revival! He, too, bagged a brace (38′, 54′) and covered an impressive 71 meters. It’s safe to say that he’s the kind of fullback who could find space in a crowded elevator, making him not just a leader for La Rochelle, but a magician on the field. Abracadabra, here’s another try!
Maritimes and Girondins Find Their Groove
After finding themselves in a real pickle last week, the Rochelais had to bounce back, and bounce back they did! Following a “let’s just forget that ever happened” mentality, they played the first half like it was a training session—with fluidity that would make an Olympic swimmer jealous. But hold your horses, UBB didn’t just roll over; they clawed back like a cat that just got tossed into a bath! They nearly made it a game, showing that even when trailing 25-3, they at least brought their fighting spirit—if only they weren’t rendered dazed and confused in the first half!
FLOPS
30 Penalties and More Cards Than a Kids’ Birthday Party
Now, let’s talk about discipline—or the lack thereof! Referee Mr. Trainini decided to unleash his inner traffic cop, blowing his whistle 30 times! It was like the rugby version of a mob boss’ “make them an offer they can’t refuse”—just penalties everywhere. With five cards dished out like the last of the pizza at an office party, you had to wonder if some players were trying to set a record. UBB even ended up in a strange situation where they had numerical superiority after being down two men. Seriously, it’s like watching a football match where the players forgot how to play!
A Major Blow for the XV of France?
And speaking of trouble, poor Yoram Moefana—permanently expelled for a tackle that was “too dangerous”, he could be sidelined for more than just this weekend’s match! If the disciplinary committee decides to hand him a lengthy suspension, we might be seeing one of the rising stars sitting on the bench for a bit, missing out on those highly-anticipated matches against Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina. Talk about a blow to the ego—and the team!
Stade Rochelais defeated Union Bordeaux Bègles (32-22) this Sunday evening at home, at the end of the seventh day of the Top 14.
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Teddy Thomas a vu double…
The three-quarter wing of Stade Rochelais was on fire Sunday evening, during La Rochelle’s victory over UBB (32-22). The French international scored twice (5′, 17′), his second of the season after the one scored in Toulouse last September. The Rochelais showed his power and explosiveness on his wing to take the Bordeaux defensive curtain several times. As evidenced by his 41 meters covered in a port balloon… Lethal.
Also read Top 14: La Rochelle recovers, UBB loses its head
…like Brice Dulin
The La Rochelle fullback was sparkling on Sunday evening. Always clever and opportunistic, the Maritime also finished the match with a double on the clock (38′, 54′) and a total of 71 meters covered with ball in hand. A top-notch performance for one of the leaders of this yellow and black.
Maritimes and Girondins were able to react
Surprisingly swept away last weekend in San Sebastián, against Bayonne (37-7), the Rochelais, touched in their pride, had to raise their heads in the face of a big force in the championship. It’s done, and in a beautiful way. The Yellow and Black delivered a very consistent first period, punctuated by a very diverse and fluid game which pinned the UBB troops to the spot. But the Bordeaux residents were also able to show their character. Trailing at half-time (25-3), Yannick Bru’s men pulled out all the stops after the restart to come within just 10 points of the locals in the last quarter of an hour. The French vice-champions were not far from leaving La Rochelle with the defensive bonus in their pocket. A situation that seemed unthinkable during the break…
FLOPS
A rain of penalties and cards
If the definition of indiscipline in rugby could be represented in a single match, it could well be this one. Mr. Trainini had to whistle no less than… 30 penalties on Sunday evening. All punctuated by five cards distributed (four yellow, one red). Amazing at this level of the competition. So much so that at one point in the match, UBB, reduced to 14 after the expulsion of Yoram Moefana (34′), found itself… in numerical superiority against Stade Rochelais, who had lost two players… Lunar.
Also read La Rochelle-UBB: relive the avalanche of boxes and the maritime victory against the Bordelais
The XV of France could lose Yoram Moefana
Permanently expelled from the match at the hour mark, the three-quarter center of Bordeaux Bègles could miss part of the November tour of the XV of France. The 24-year-old is expected to be suspended for a few matches after his dangerous tackle on Jonathan Danty. We will have to wait for the conclusions of the disciplinary committee, which will deliver its verdict in the coming days. If the Bordeaux center receives a three-match sanction, he will miss the next two days of Top 14, as well as the first of three test matches for the Blues scheduled against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
