A defeat but two good news. The Bayonnais lost to Bordeaux (30-27) at the end of a game that they could just as easily have won. The conquering face shown by the group is the polar opposite of that displayed in Pau (51-29) and Clermont (26-10). A new kid is not for nothing: Esteban Capilla (21 years old) put in a very solid performance in the middle of the Bayonne third line.
The player with a slender profile (1.97 m, 99 kg) and aerial was not really expected. His name came out of the hat at the start of the week in the middle of a major roster review. His second start of the season, after Clermont. His second match in the Top 14. “He put in a great performance,” appreciates his manager Grégory Patat. He was present in the fight, he has the speed, he is good in the aerial game… “The number 7 counts seven touches captured, including two on opposing throws, two scratched balls, 17 tackles and no misses. He conceded just one penalty and made seven runs with the ball, all in 71 minutes on the pitch. Not bad for a guy who is “stressed” before the meeting.
“I was keen to have a big match to be able to claim the start at home”
Stressed
“My first Top 14 match (Editor’s note, September 21 in Clermont) went well individually but they took the offensive bonus. There, I was keen to have a big match to be able to claim the start at home, at Jean-Dauger or at Anoeta. It’s a personal goal so I admit that I was a little stressed during the week. Afterwards, the closer we get to the match, the more the excitement takes over. Greg announced the 15 starters to us on Tuesday. It really helps us prepare for our week. He put me in condition. »
In the middle of Arthur Iturria, Giovanni Habel-Küffner, Baptiste Chouzenoux, Baptiste Heguy, Rodrigo Bruni and Rémi Bourdeau, the native of the North appeared as a seventh choice at the start of the season. At around 20 minutes, he displays almost the same playing time as the two Baptistes. A marker for the future. “Esteban brings us a lot,” adds center Guillaume Martocq. He had already shown it during the friendly matches where he had some very good things. It’s quite a different profile: he runs a lot, he’s active, he’s aerial… All the qualities he had with rugby sevens. We’re very happy to have him. »
“He’s almost discovering this rugby because he’s been focused on 7 for three years”
Postponed from the missed Olympics
Capilla could be shot. Affected by a recurring thigh injury, he witnessed from afar the coronation of the French sevens rugby team this summer at the Paris Olympic Games. A hard blow after years of preparation. He got over it. With more people on the ground. “Esteban is now focusing on the XV project,” says Patat. He is almost discovering this rugby because it has been three years, since my arrival in Bayonne, that he has been focused on 7s. This is the first year that he is doing a preseason. It was positive. He was able to acquire all the marks of the XV. He manages to connect with his partners. Often, when you come from 7, you have somewhat individual benchmarks which can weaken your teammates nearby. But this Saturday, he had a great performance. »
Crowned with a decisive pass for Yohan Orabé’s try (73rd), synonymous with an equalizer after the transformation of Joris Segonds. He tells. “Yohan made me happy. I see that the people of Bordeaux are “rushing”. I shift and the wingman settles. I release the ball to Yo who finishes the job by making a fuss and doing a very big action too. It’s cool, it put us back in the match. » Not enough to win. Substituted for the second time with a minute remaining, Capilla witnessed the final touch from the bench. The Bayonnais have lost it. A regret? Not for Grégory Patat. “We wanted to densify our forward pack because there was a scrum just before, so the strategy was to turn it around. » Paulos therefore came into play. “We were not far from doing it but we didn’t succeed. Afterwards, plan B was to do a carried ball again. And Lucas brings more density to this sector. The coaching didn’t work. »
Learning and compliments
“Frankly, the “Chou” (Baptiste Chouzenoux) and Arthur Iturria are also very good jumpers, evades Capilla. They are the ones who drive me every day to improve. It’s really with both that I build my weeks on the sidelines. » The third row was crippled with cramps at the time of his exit anyway. “The pitch was a little greasy but that’s no excuse. I will have to continue to prepare to teach my body to play through matches. Sometimes it’s complicated at the 60th even if I give everything. »
His teammates were not mistaken. Victor Hannoun and many others congratulated him after the meeting. “We are all very nice to each other,” appreciates Capilla. Considering his performance, that’s the minimum.
The stupid mistake
Unwittingly, Carlu Savie has rendered a proud service to his UBB team. Angered by Facundo Bosch and Giovanni Habel-Küffner in a ruck close to the Rowing goal line, this Saturday in the 50th minute of play, the South African pillar got confused with the two Bayonne players. Who should have remained focused on the game. Because the action continued, while the three players bickered. With two elements less in the Basque defense line, the Bordelo-Béglais ended up finding the opening for their fourth try, on the other wing, signed Romain Buros (27-10). The moment of confusion is costly. Especially since Habel-Küffner, like Savie, inherited a yellow card as soon as the test was validated.
