The Biarrots overcame the withdrawal of five points in the week, as well as several counter-blows in the game to come back within one mark of winning in money time.
On one side there is Mathieu Acebes, captain of Olympic Biarritz, who tried to play down the situation: “You know, what happens outside, honestly, it doesn't concern me. We remain focused on the athlete. No one died either. We are united among ourselves and with the club .” And on the other, head coach Boris Bouhraoua debated at length the impact of withdrawing 5 points due to administrative delays and questioned the merits of punishing the players: “I'll just give my feelings about the athlete: it's a bit cruel for the players. It's normal to be penalized if you cheat. But I would have liked a little more leniency for the players. Five points, c 'is huge in the championship!'
“We scored a magnificent try”
Should we see this as a justification for the defeat conceded in Haute-Garonne? Hard to say. In any case, Acebes dissociated these events: “Once again, we are in the match, never too far behind, we always come back. But I regret our lack of precision, especially on the finish, which does not allow us to get ahead.”
And we tend to believe it, given the uninhibited rugby practiced at times. Moreover, the try scored by Kibirige at the very end of the period, the very one which would spice up the final, was a crazy initiative, after a scrum exit ten meters from their goal, a number from Dakuwaqa and a conclusion from the winger. “We scored a magnificent try and despite this long period of attacking without scoring, we are in a position to win, in the 77th, rejoiced Boris Bouhraoua. The motivation is there.” Enough to reduce the disappointment of this defeat to zero points and the BO's first exit from the top 6 since the start of the season. “The season is still very long. In fifteen games, a lot of scenarios can happen, predicts Mathieu Acebes. We deserved better tonight but over a season we say that the results balance out. There is no fire in the house.” Q.P.
