Joris Moura is the second most used player in Pro D2 this season with 1188 minutes played. His club Valence-Romans remains on the verge of a defeat on the last day against Montauban and is preparing to host Nice on Friday in a crucial match for maintenance. The rear of the VRDR confided in us as this important deadline approaches.
Did you digest the defeat against Montauban when you were leading two minutes from time?
Like any defeat, it is hard to accept. Especially in the current context where we are fighting and doing good things. We try a lot but we are not rewarded. Victory eluded us, again, in the last actions of the match so it's very frustrating.
How did you experience this end of the match from the inside?
Honestly, this is one of the only games this season where I said to myself: “We hold victory in our hands.” Until the 60th minute we controlled the match, I was rather confident. Then the red card from Adam (Vargas) stopped us but we could easily hold on to fourteen. It is not because of this fact of play that we lose the match. Montauban went for victory, too bad for us.
What was the speech in the locker room after the match?
The president and the coach boosted our morale. They reminded us that this defeat is not an end in itself and that we must remain mobilized and continue working.
Before the start of the season did you check this Nice reception on the calendar (16e), Friday ?
Of course. At that precise moment, we had more ambitions but we were aware that we were going to battle against Nice, Aurillac or even Montauban which was in difficulty last year. These matches are the most important. We did the job by winning the first leg in Nice, it's up to us to do it again on Friday at home.
Is there anything different in your preparation before a meeting against a direct competitor for maintenance?
Collectively nothing changes. We always work the same way, regardless of the opponent. Individually, the mental approach is different. Everyone is aware of the importance of this meeting and is preparing accordingly. This is a low-ranking finals match for us.
What are you working on as a priority in training this week?
The area we need to improve in is discipline. Difficult to work in this sector, on the other hand, it requires individual awareness, on the mistakes not to be made, on the part of all the players.
-Valence-Romans is a rather playful team. Will you keep the same style on Friday night, or will you offer a more restrictive game so as to take less risk?
We have to play like we know how. Entrepreneurship is in our DNA and we must not play against nature. However, it must be done in a reasoned manner and above all not overplay.
In the event of a victory against Nice, you will be at least 13 points ahead of them. Fifteenth place will be almost assured. Do you mention the possibility of a possible access match at the end of the season?
Yes. We see this fifteenth place as one of the possibilities to maintain ourselves. Obviously, we are looking ahead, because we are not left behind by the teams in front of us. However, we do not forget that this play-off match is one of the ways to stay in this championship.
Do you feel any particular pressure within your group as the final matches approach?
We are fifteenth, but I don't have the impression of experiencing weeks of a team in a play-off position. Maybe we should do it, but we don't panic, because we know we can do better so we don't put any particular pressure on ourselves.
You experienced the rise to Pro D2 in 2023 with Valence-Romans. Is there a difference in the approach to a final phase match compared to a maintenance match?
In the state of mind to have, the two are rather similar. You have to take the matches one after the other without asking questions. However, the final matches are more exciting. The excitement around the club is truly incredible when we play the climb.
Joris, you have fourteen consecutive starts, which is rather exceptional in modern rugby. How do you feel physically?
After matches like the one against Montauban, I am very tired and I spend the whole next day on my sofa, because of my pain and the bad night I had. (he smiles). In Pro D2, the teams are very physical and the combat phases are tough. But beyond all that, it's a chance to be able to have so many meetings and to be able to show what I'm worth.
Besides, you are at the end of your contract at the end of the season. Are you in discussions with the club for a possible extension?
We have already had several discussions since last summer which are very advanced. Nothing has been signed yet, but the discussions are rather positive. This is also why I fight every weekend because if I were to sign, I would want to stay in Pro D2.
