Particularly touched after the slap received at Anoeta (37-7), the manager of Stade Rochelais, Ronan O’Gara, returned after the game on the sad face of his team in the Basque Country, spoke of the catastrophic first half of his players and spoke about the future of Georges-Henri Colombe.
Ronan, is this the kind of match that will give you a headache for several days?
We saw a motivated, disciplined team, which was hungry and eager and another, in yellow, which had the impression of playing together for the first time. There was no desire, no will, no discipline among us. My first thought is for the Rochelais. There are a lot of supporters in France, but there are many who live in La Rochelle and who have made a 5-hour trip. Can you imagine? There were 3,000 of them there 90 minutes before the match. We’re going to lose it all. It’s over. It’s not possible to play like that in front of loyal supporters. We lost more than one match tonight. I am primarily responsible, because I am the manager. It’s a dark day. I haven’t experienced that often in eleven years of training.
This time, the relocation to San Sebastián favored Rowing Bayonnais! The Basques inflicted a correction on the completely overwhelmed Rochelais. Manu Tuilagi scored his first at the heart of a brilliant pair of crosses.
The report > https://t.co/ZAL1AMG0ph pic.twitter.com/2aZMvYPsJo
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1845142135865008246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
You say you lost more than one match. Can you elaborate?
With this kind of match, you lose credibility, respect. When I leave La Rochelle, I hope that these words “credibility”, “respect”, will not be far from my name. “Respected”, “hardworking”, a guy “proud” of his La Rochelle family. I have another family, yes, with my children and my wife, but you don’t play like that if you’re a real family. Can you imagine? When your wife or children watch this…
You have already missed matches like that and, despite everything, La Rochelle recovered. There, is the evil deeper?
No, but I think it’s a clash of cultures. If you accept a performance like that, you open up your ability to have excuses for everything. The week was good, we were motivated. Have you seen the weather, the terrain, the surface today? And did you see how we played?
This isn’t the first time you’ve missed the first half. You insisted this week on the importance of the start. Is there not something to change in the preparation?
Yes, for sure. There is something that needs to be changed, but if you have a solution, tell me. There are a thousand things in my head. It’s hard to make 40 minutes more disgusting than that. If the goal is to put the ball in touch, it’s hard to miss for players with this level of talent. I had a lot of excitement for today. I thought the team was in a good space mentally and “clack”. Luckily for us, there is another match next week. We need our supporters and for there to be a good atmosphere at Deflandre so that we can make amends after a shitty match.
Also read:
Top 14 – The notes of Bayonne – La Rochelle: Facundo Bosch master of the ground, Sireli Maqala electric, Tolu Latu imprecise
You didn’t find the keys in the first half and Bayonne set a lot of pace. Did you ask your players not to take the ball out of the field?
No. But even after that, there are two rucks, one on the sidelines, one on the 15 meters and we tackle ghosts. It is not possible that with a small threat, there will be a real crossing. There is a lot of work to do and it will start on Tuesday. I have been a coach for several years, I will find the solution.
You will receive the UBB next weekend. From then on, your players will only be able to be very concentrated, in relation to the danger that is coming…
After tonight’s match, it’s not interesting who we get. With all respect for the opponent, that’s not the problem. We have things to resolve internally. Matches like this are enough for this season, do we agree?
Colombe over the last six months he is fourth right pillar
Can you count on the returns of Teddy Thomas or UJ Seuteni next weekend?
Seuteni no, that’s for sure. Teddy Thomas is progressing well, but for a thoroughbred like him, we need to have confirmation with more speed sessions. Teddy trained well on his own yesterday. We’ll see on Monday.
Can you confirm the departure of Georges-Henri Colombe to Toulouse at the end of the season and were you unable to keep him?
I have no official news. I had offered something for him, but over the last six months, he has been the fourth right pillar. There are a lot of positive things in France, but when you are number 3 and JIFF, it’s difficult. If it doesn’t work here, it will work in Toulouse. If it doesn’t work in Toulouse, it will work in Toulon, Castres, Racing or Bordeaux. He has all the cards. For me, as a father, and with the example of justice, there is Uini (Atonio), Aleksandre (Kuntelia), Joël (Sclavi) and him. I love Georges, I’m very disappointed, but I have to accept that the system is too strong for me. I suggested something. I think he can think well to have the ability to regain after twelve months. I have to stay true to my values. The locker room is bigger than just one player. It’s a day of failure, for me, between tonight’s performance, the GH story. I hope we can do something this season.
