After the victory of the Maritimes among the Ile-de-France residents (16-17), find out what caught the attention of our journalist present in Créteil.
At the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium
FAVORITE
The Rochelais believed in it until the end
Great strength of character. Solid and enterprising during the first act where they led 9-6, Ronan O’Gara’s players were then absent after returning from the locker room. They first suffered a severe 10-0, being less dominant up front. Opposite, and without being brilliant, Racing woke up but Stade Rochelais made a lot of hand mistakes and approximations. Except that La Rochelle never doubted, never gave up. Wardi’s try, at the very end of the match (75th), did not reverse the trend since Iribaren missed the conversion… But Racing made a mistake again and, this time, the La Rochelle scrum half did not tremble and offered victory to his team. Nice reversal of the situation.
Le Garrec shines against his future team
The announcement of his departure next season had the effect of a small bombshell. A child of Racing 92, who recently became international, Nolann Le Garrec will join Stade Rochelais next season. A heartbreak for the sky-and-white supporters. But, this Saturday, against his future team, the Racing scrum half did not show any feelings. He energized his team’s play whenever he could and scored all of his team’s points. First by scoring three kicking penalties (one missed) in place of Owen Farrell since the match in Bordeaux, then by scoring the only try of the match (55th), allowing the Ile-de-France residents to take control of the match. But that wasn’t enough…
Double the number of people in Créteil
Paris La Défense being unavailable (after the Paris 2024 Olympics, events are organized there), Racing 92 was forced to relocate five of its meetings until December to Créteil, at the Dominique-Duvauchelle stadium. The first meeting in the 94, against Clermont, did not attract many people, only 4,000 brave people. Christophe Urios, the ASM manager, did not fail to mock this sinister atmosphere, reminding him of the Covid-19 period. This Saturday, under a beautiful sun, change of scenery. The attendance in the Cristolean enclosure had doubled with 8,400 people (for 12,000 places), including many La Rochelle supporters. A small success for Racing 92 which needs to be confirmed over time against Toulon, Toulouse in the Top 14 as well as against Harlequins in the Champions Cup.
CLAW STRIKES
Double KO for Racing
After the big slap received during the week against UBB (52-34), the Racingmen did not find any color this Saturday, in Créteil, on the occasion of the 4th day. A tough, tough match at the end of which Stuart Lancaster’s players ended up collapsing. The show was not there, there were a number of inaccuracies on both sides, and Ciel et Blanc can blame themselves for that. Racing will once again be expected at the turn, next week, on the lawn of Vannes. A Little Thumb who once again proved this Saturday against Toulon that he will sell his skin dearly for his first season in the elite. The Ciel et Blanc will be under pressure against the promoted teams.
Farrell, the friendly ghost
At Racing 92, we repeat that he needs time to adapt. To get used to a new club, a new environment, a new game. Except that the outings follow one another and are similar for Owen Farrell. Who is often content to play with his feet or ensure his passes. Skip the dishes, the bare minimum. Or stupidly miss a penalty (48th). Certainly, he does not escape in defense, his strong point. But we expect more from a player of his caliber, icon of English rugby and playing master of the XV de la Rose. Ball in hand, it’s certain that it’s not Carlos Spencer, the former twirling number 10 of the All Blacks. But there is still a happy medium… There we have the impression that he goes through the matches like a ghost. But that’s not scary.
A sterile first act
Two wasted highlights, two missed opportunities. At the start of the match, the Maritimes were dangerous on two occasions. But they ultimately failed to score twice. After work in the axis of Lavault then Cancoriet, Hastoy tries a foot pass for Nowell who does not control the ball (8th). While there was surely an excess to play… Then, Dulin launched Leyds perfectly but the South African winger, after a good acceleration, scored in a corner (13th). But he had put one foot in touch. Big lack of realism on the part of Ronan O’Gara’s players who had to vehemently rail on these two occasions… The Racingmen are not left out with, too, three big chances aborted, twice by Spring then another on a ball not flattened into the in-goal by the forwards. Infuriating.
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