Lhe supporters of Union Bordeaux-Bègles still remember this day in May 2019 when their team collapsed against Stade Toulousain in Chaban-Delmas while leading 36-7 at half-time (final score 36 -43). From now on, they will also remember this evening in Vannes where UBB overcame an identical handicap of 29 points to win at Rabine (29-37). “I have the impression that there are quite a few matches that we will talk about in 10 years…” smiled Yannick Bru, in reference to the tornado suffered during the last Top 14 final.
Who was crazy enough to bet a kopeck on Saturday on the Bordelo-Béglais after these nightmarish 35 minutes, marked by four tries conceded and an obvious lack of commitment? Afterward, the manager spoke of an “unacceptable” and “unworthy” first act. Which, however, ended with a try from Ben Tapuai, while the Australian and his teammates had never before held the ball within the opposing 22 meters.
Bru raises his voice
“We clung to this test which brought us back to 22 points and which gave us a little confidence,” rewinds second row Cyril Cazeaux. “After a one-sided first period, it feels good,” confirms winger Arthur Retière. But that does not exempt the Bordelo-Béglais from being severely shaken at half-time by Yannick Bru. Even without sound, the images captured by Canal+ in the locker room leave no room for doubt.
“I'm not a loudmouth, I'm not used to getting angry. But we had the impression that it amounted to dishonor and that we did not respect the jersey, what we are building, our 14,000 subscribers. I told them: we don’t look at the score and we do the best we can,” he still detailed. Then the players quickly exchange: “We talk to each other. We try to understand what is happening, we think of the supporters. Because this Bordeaux is not us,” says Retière.
The staff is largely renewing a completely outdated pack (entries from Bochaton, Swinton and Latterrade in place of Samu, Coleman and Sa). The Vannes residents, euphoric until then, immediately put themselves under pressure by missing their reception at the kick-off of the second half. And the UBB machine, finally bleeding and determined if not brilliant, with the wind at its back, scored two tries in quick succession. In the 46th minute, the gap had already fallen to ten points.
“Not to be heartbroken”
The turning point came ten minutes later, with two yellow cards and a penalty try inflicted on the Bretons on the same action. With a clear numerical superiority, UBB can easily exploit the width to score a fifth try. The Union, which was content to be serious and efficient, has moved ahead and will never relinquish its advantage. “You shouldn’t have had heart problems,” sighed Retière.
Yannick Bru, for his part, did not look like a happy manager after this second victory in five trips. “The target has been reached, but we are still marked by this inconsistency. This shouldn't happen to us given our investment. This is perhaps what makes our team endearing. We hit high points and low points. We are not yet the quiet force. » This is enough today to occupy a comfortable second place. But in the face of better equipped training, this could be more expensive.
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