“The more there are on the pitch, the more confidence and stability you feel, with players who know each other better too. When you have automatisms and experience, it can make the difference when the matches are close, tough,” judges Thibault Daubagna, one of the only Béarnais totems who has not yet had to undergo repairs in the infirmary. . Privileged captains of the Pau staff when they were on the pitch last season, the 3rd lines Luke Whitelock and Beka Gorgadze cannot say the same.
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
20/25 with Gorgadze
The first just started its 2024-2025 financial year last Saturday, when the second missed half of it. “It’s important to have them because they give you confidence. And what’s more, they are dominant so we need them,” points out Daubagna. It's obvious, the Béarnais are not the same with or without Gorgadze. Of the 7 matches played by the Georgian, Pau won four, including two bonuses. And of the three lost, brought back his only two defensive bonuses of the season.
That is 20 points gleaned at half-time, out of the 25 in total that the Green and White have amassed in 14 days… “I hope that the returning players will want to bring all their experience because we will need it. We will try to put them in the best possible conditions because we are all happy to see them come back,” says Thibault Daubagna. And the scrum half insisted: “We have more time to lose in this second part of the season. We're behind so we have to make up some points. Our squad will consolidate with the return of injuries. We have no more excuses, we have to look forward.”
-The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
Whitelock, the dad of the team
It's simpler when we have Whitelock or Gorgadze, who returned against Vannes at the end of 2024, to clear the view. “There is what they bring on match day but also during the week in training in terms of collective benchmarks, leadership,” appreciates Geoffrey Lanne-Petit. They are locker room and game leaders.” Their return to form delighted the co-coach of the three-quarters. And makes his work easier: “It’s a relay on the ground concerning the strategy, the game project, which they have mastered perfectly for years. In important moments, it’s good to have this support and this help.”
Without forgetting the intangible aura of these special players. “He brings a lot of serenity and game intelligence to decisions,” smiles Loïc Credoz when he talks about his New Zealand neighbor on the 3rd line. Luke is like the dad of the team. It’s super important, only brings positive things.” After the most controlled success of the season against Vannes on December 28 at Hameau (48-24), Sébastien Piqueronies underlined his “luck to have seven of (his) leaders on the field together”. Against Clermont, he will have the same. Including his two big bosses, finally partners.
