Aviron Bayonnais – UBB: Yannick Bru had Jean-Dauger’s recipe

The series began under Yannick Bru. It ended against Yannick Bru. The manager’s Union Bordeaux-Bègles put an end to 28 rowing victories in Jean-Dauger in the championship this Saturday (15-34). The last hitch dates back to January 21, 2022. It was against Grenoble (35-37), in Pro D2. Another era. The one where the Gersois sat on the Bayonne bench. Two years and three months later (827 days!), the Basques’ invincibility is gone, and there is nothing to complain about as the visitors controlled the match for 70 minutes. They are taking a big step towards qualification which is no longer a project at all for Grégory Patat’s team.

With this third loss in a row in the Top 14, a first this season, it will now launch an operation to maintain the last four matches. Doubled by Lyon and Clermont, it is only five points ahead of Montpellier (13th), fortunately beaten at home by Perpignan. “It’s up to us to continue to believe in what we’re doing, in our game,” insists the Bleu et Blanc coach. Pressure is for the weak. We are still the decision makers of the ranking. There are five games and 25 points left on the table. »

Altercation with Tayeb

It’s a nod to history. Yannick Bru but also the physical trainers Ludovic Loustau and Cyril Gomes, the video analyst Arthur Alavarez, the physiotherapist Christophe Foucaud: all were from the first seven matches of this incredible series. All are now at UBB. It seems like they knew the recipe for success. “The only common denominator is that I was there both times,” eluded the technician, with modest triumph. At the final whistle, he left the field, leaving the players to their joy. He came across Philippe Tayeb, who refused to shake his hand. Having been cold since their last season together in Bayonne, the two men exchanged words. The manager even slapped his former friend on the back of the head. Two minutes earlier, aware that victory was in his pocket, he had hugged his replacements and his staff, several members of whom are also engaged in procedures with the Rowing president.

He came across Philippe Tayeb, who refused to shake his hand. The two men exchanged words. The manager even slapped his former friend on the back of the neck

“Frankly, hats off to my players because the atmosphere at the edge of the pitch when things got going in the second half… Wow! It was incredible. I thought we weren’t going to make it out of this. » Largely trailing at the break (3-18), Rowing had just struck in quick succession at the start of the second period (42^e and 46^e, 15-18). His people immediately responded. Not enough to relax him. “When Max Lucu misses the penalty (63^e), we didn’t have a two-mark gap, we only led by 13 points. I told myself that we were going to stay there by one point with this Rowing team which has the grinta and the incredible support of its public. She is capable of turning any situation around. ” Not this time.

“Not worried about Rowing”

Apart from the first ten minutes of the second act, the Bayonnais never seemed able to upset their opponent. “We came across something stronger,” admits Grégory Patat. It’s true. Its players and destiny also gave the Bordelais a helping hand. A try conceded at the start of the game (4th), another a bit of a gag with two players (Tiberghien and Carreras) who get in the way and two others (Perchaud and Erbinartegaray) who counter a ball and unwittingly offer a gift to Tevita Tatafu. The Bordelais, not the Bayonnais (25th). The accumulated delay was too significant, especially with the forwards dominated. “We must not let a team like that get into the match,” complains the manager. We cannot go 3-18 at half-time against a team programmed to win the European Cup and the Brennus. »

The start of the match froze Jean-Dauger as much as the flood. “There was a sound like a cathedral. Our supporters need to get excited with our rugby and we need to get excited with them. We started from very far away against a Bordeaux in not funny mode. » Who managed the last half hour on his hand.

“Since the start of the season, we said that we were playing to maintain our strength,” recalls Guillaume Rouet. Now at least it’s clear to everyone. » Bayonnais have four games left to save their season. Their former manager Yannick Bru is hardly worried: “With all the staff, we had incredible times here (2018-2022). There was fervor and the building of the club is great. Obviously it bothers us to embarrass Rowing with this defeat but on the other hand, given the level displayed by the team, I am not very worried about the fact that it will remain a formidable opponent in the Top 14 in the years to come. » If he also holds the recipe for the truth, Bayonne has nothing to worry about.

The notes

Bayonne
7/10 Heguy
6/10 Erbinartegaray
5/10 Mori, Tatafu, Huguet
4/10 Lopez, Megdoud, Perchaud, Paulos, Ceyte, Cassiem, Giudicelli, Carreras, Rouet
3/10 Tiberghien
Bordeaux-Bègles
8/10 Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Lucu

7/10 Penaud, Vergnes, Tatafu, Cazeaux

6/10 Buros, Moefana, Tapuai, Diaby, Coleman, Boniface, Lamothe, Sadie