After a complicated first half, a little messy, the REC overcame Anglet and qualified for the semi-finals of Nationale 2. The Rennais tense by the stakes, fell into the trap of Anglet who wanted to create disorder and excessive play as shown by the first very long sequences of play. “We fell into their game of not holding the ball, of going wide, estimates the opening half Benjamin Noble, author of 13 points. We were trapped in not respecting the fundamentals. In 2e half-time, we came back with our strengths, our ball carriers advanced in the axis. We went looking for it, it would have been a failure not to qualify.”
“On our hunger”
Due to rough footwork, “of a failing conquest”, according to 3e center line Guillaume Cazette, and bad strategic choices, the Rennais left Anglet in the match (6-6 at half-time), even if it meant scaring themselves in the 75th minute, when the Basques had a match point following to a breakthrough from their winger who made a forward move in front of the goal line.
“We played backwards. We remain hungry rugby-wise, regrets Vincent Bréheonnet, the coach of the three-quarters, still a perfectionist, even if he relished the victory. Anglet is a great team with a real identity, which played without denying itself.”
A team which played without pressure since it was not the favorite after snatching the 6th place in the group on the last day of the championship and beating Nîmes in the play-off two weeks ago.
The REC therefore got out of this trap in the second half by putting things back in order and getting back on track. “We had confidence in the guys, if we put in the intensity from start to finish it would end up paying off,” believes Carlos Muzzio, former left pillar now coach of the forwards.
“Langon, it’s tough”
The Rennes club is now well underway in these final stages. Next Sunday, he will face Langon on the field (neutral not yet known). “Langon we took a good volley there, we are warned that without the fundamentals it will not succeed”, recalls Benjamin Noble. “We know, it’s tough, it goes very quickly. It will be hard”adds Brehonnet.
Yes, but Rennes is also renowned for having one of the most powerful packs in this N2 championship and is able to respond to the Girondins if they move up the scale as they did during this quarter-final, if they play their game by holding the balls, by playing first in the axis with the big players instead of overplaying.
Mindset and defense
The REC also has a strong argument with its defense. He had proven it against Niort by bracing himself for ten minutes in front of his line, Kevin Courties’ players renewed this defensive prowess at the end of the match. “It’s a great pleasure to see the team defend well because I’m involved in this sector. Defense is the state of mind. The guys put their heart into defending the territory,” recognizes Carlos Muzzio, who is also the coach of a scrum that in the second half won important penalties.
This state of mind also generates confidence “capital for the final stages”, adds the former Pumas.
Finally, the last asset of the REC, the team seems in good physical shape. “We are good,” admits Guillaume Cazette who multiplied throughout the meeting. despite everything, the week will be devoted to “generate freshness and pep in the guys’ legs”, adds Vincent Bréhonnet.
The adventure continues, there is a scent of final stages like two years ago when the Rennes achieved their dream. “The die is cast, there are two games left,” concludes Guillaume Cazette. If the players want more, their season is already successful after relegation. That too could free the players a little more.
