Psychotherapy or introspection, call it what you want. This week, to evacuate the post-traumatic shock of the violent exit suffered in Montpellier (30-3), the Paloise Section did not necessarily talk about scrums and carried balls – even if there is a real need – but rather human caused.
“To release energies, my players need to be in the present. That they do not waste time or exhaust themselves in observing or evaluating what we have done more or less well, explains Sébastien Piqueronies, strangely lyrical. We should not imagine what could happen in the next action, on the 25th day. This is how we will have living men.”
“We have to be professional”
To revive themselves, the zombies of the GGL Stadium searched deep within themselves for the reasons why they decided to embrace the Rugby profession. “We went back to the basics of our motivations to refocus on the essential: why do we want to be on the field? » confides Emilien Gailleton, who certainly had to wet his neck to go from the hot bath of an invincible French XV to the cold of a Paloise Section incapable of winning for four matches.
“The word of the week was really why. Why are we here? Why do we want to play for this club? It can be for your family, to make the public proud, to gain the respect of the teammate next to you,” adds Reece Hewat. Faced with the Hérault slump, the Australian 3rd line understands the hundreds of indignant reactions from many Béarnais supporters.
“Pau is small and people are proud of their team. […] Everyone who put in a word was right. Last weekend, for me it wasn't the Pau team that I know either. We get paid to be a professional player so we have to be. […] We must defend this city, this jersey. And use all that as motivation,” confides the flanker, eager to atone for Montpellier’s (professional?) mistake.
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
Gorgadze and Whitelock in support
To restart a season that has been stopped for a little over a month, the Paloise Section has changed a few habits. “When you're mediocre like we were against the MHR, you don't repeat things identically, otherwise you're stupid,” says Sébastien Piqueronies, immediately more concrete. “The composition of the team will only be announced today (Friday, when it is usually announced on Wednesday, Editor’s note). And despite their injuries, Luke (Whitelock) and Beka (Gorgadze) were very close to the group. Beka will also be field assistant against Lyon,” explains the manager.
“His presence will give us confidence. He will be able to give us information, ideas, appreciates Reece Hewat. He is a player who shows especially through his actions. But when he speaks, everyone listens.” In need of leaders on the field with the injuries to its two third lines and Lucas Rey, Pau therefore mobilizes its major players at the back who are unable to go to the front. After all, if the placebo effect works!
“What matters is still the fifteen men on the pitch,” recalls Cantalou. Who does not hide behind his garrison: “Players and staff, we are all faced with our responsibilities. That's what's exciting about high-level sport. […] I am the only one to set the tone and the sole person responsible overall for what is happening, for the behavior of the team in Montpellier.”
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A “very simple” game project
If the week “was more tense than usual and fortunately” – says Piqueronies – it also served to tighten around “a very simple game project, assumed, dictated and shared by everyone”, testifies the manager. “When we lose a little confidence, the first thing is to return to our basics, things that we know how to do very well,” says Emilien Gailleton.
And the center rejoices at the few weekly changes, far from a revolution: “We are not necessarily stressed. Everyone has already experienced a crisis situation. There are 16 games left, this is not the time to worry.” But good to stir the pot again with some welcome points.
It doesn't matter if the performance at Le Hameau this Saturday is delicious, crunchy or tasteless. You'll have to bite into it. “I want men who are very convinced, united and supportive,” underlines Piqueronies. But planning, saying, announcing, that doesn't have much value. What matters is doing.” And after the whys, answer the how: how could the Paloise Section have fallen so low? How can she get up?
Echoes of the match
Two Palois too short. Injured before the trip to Montpellier last week, scrum-half Dan Robson as well as his English compatriot, right pillar Harry Williams, hoped to be able to play against Lyon. Alas, they had to give up, insufficiently recovered, after testing themselves one last time yesterday, Friday.
Lyon almost complete. Lyon presents itself in Pau with the vast majority of its assets. The LOU has recovered a dozen internationals mobilized during the autumn tour. Before the trip to Béarn, only 2nd row Félix Lambey, 3rd row Arno Botha, hooker Guillaume Marchand, center Théo Millet, fly-half Paddy Jackson as well as left prop Sébastien Taofifenua were unavailable.
The LOU was on training. It had been planned for a long time but comes at a time when the Rhone residents are on a series of four consecutive defeats. Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lyonnais left for training in Vichy. A way to get everyone back into the swing of things, especially the many internationals called up in November.
Couilloud, the threat. With 8 tries in 10 matches, LOU international scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud impresses. “He has great physical qualities, speed, explosiveness, etc. He feels the game very well. When there is an opportunity, he very often manages to seize it. He has a fairly complete palette, explains Béarnais Martin Méliande, who arrived in Lyon this season. He's a big leader and a Lyonnais too. He grew up with the club and helped make it grow.”
