2024-10-20 21:21:00
LThe Rochelais were right, Marcel-Deflandre had forgiven them for their big slump in Saint-Sébastien (37-7) even before they entered the stadium this Sunday. This was no reason to disappoint him again, as the UBB visited them with amazing confidence. So yes, the Yellow and Black, when they are so aggressive, are a difficult machine to counter, which is confirmed by this success with 4 tries scored against 3 (32-22). However, despite a red card suffered by Yoram Moeafana in the 34th minute, the Girondins never gave up. On the contrary, they confirm all the good things that we think of them, regardless of the changes on the sheet.
A few days before the communication of a first list of 42 names by Fabien Galthié for the November tests, the Blues had difficulty frankly putting themselves more forward than the others, even if Moefana, who could be suspended, did part of the satisfactions. On the other hand, on the yellow and black side, a former Blue finds a second youth in the center: as in Toulouse, for his very first match with the 13 on his back, the Basque Teddy Thomas signed a major performance and a double (scored in position winger), enough to make you want to see him again in this position.
The fact remains that, as always in this type of shock, it was the packs which set the tempo. Superior in the fight in Toulouse, the Bordeaux-Béglais forwards clearly did not stand out against the Yellow and Black who were first upbeat, then pushed around. But the Girondins offer too many opportunities to their rivals, with 11 penalties at the break. And when they have the opportunity to weigh on the opposing curtain, each error is punished. This is the case of a ball hit directly into touch in the 16th minute by Matéo Garcia. A minute later, Teddy Thomas scores again (15-3, 19th) – it’s his second double with the 13 on his back, like in Toulouse.
A messy ending
There is also this avoidable card from Bastien Vergnes on a clearing, while La Rochelle was under threat of exclusion, Judicaël Cancoriet having tackled (very) high Connor Sa. A yellow on each side, but the ball for the Maritimes, the blow is hard. Finally there is this red from Moefana, for a head shock on Jonathan Danty (34th). Four minutes later, Brice Dulin crossed the line (25-3, 39th).
The gap does not reflect the level of the two teams, but more a difference in pressure and aggressiveness. Moreover, from the restart, Pablo Uberti cuts through the defense like butter (25-10, 46th). The Girondin forwards who remained on the bench came out to put Yannick Bru’s “bomb squad” to the test. Precisely, yet with one more, La Rochelle loses its means, especially in front, and its lead, Temo Matiu piercing the curtain (25-15, 51st).
Teddy Thomas takes things in hand (he will leave with a standing ovation shortly after), Georges-Henri Colombe Reazel breaks through, Brice Dulin goes for his double (32-15, 55th) but we don’t feel La Rochelle quiet, like on this one. before Bordeaux-Béglais at the foot of his posts (60th) or on the exclusion of Kane Douglas on maul defense (63rd). Nine minutes later, Dillyn Leyds leaves his team at 13 after a crazy breakthrough from Maxime Lamothe. Matiu joins Thomas and Dulin at the mark (32-22, 74th) on a muddled touch. On the game side, it’s difficult to follow a guiding line, beyond whistles to you and me in conquest. Moreover, it was a kick from Romain Buros, on a final restart, which ended a funny game. La Rochelle is happy with it, the UBB may regret its first act.
Notes
La Rochelle
8/10 Thomas
7/10 Latu, Dulin, Skelton, Boudehent, Wardi, Atonio, Lavault
6/10 Alldritt, Danty, Kerr-Barlow, Hastoy, Cancoriet, Leyds, Nowell
UBB
5/10 Uberti, Gray, Lesgourgues, Bielle-Biarrey
4/10 Sa, Vergnes, Petti, Diaby, Gazzotti, Penaud, Falatea, Poirot, Retière, Boniface.
3/10 Garcia,
Not rated Moefana, Sadie
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