At the end of a disputed semi-final, the Vannes defeated the Biterrois (27-21) thanks in particular to the activity and power of its pillar Andy Bordelai and the mastery of its scrum half Michael Ruru. On the Béziers side, the inaccuracies and mistakes of the experienced Tim Nanai-Williams were costly.
The detailed notes from Vannes:
9. Michaël Ruru: 8/10
In a duel with Samuel Marques, the Vannes scrum half did not tremble. And has never been found wanting. The game was not easy but he knew how to alternate between playing upwind and more offshore, even if his three-quarter line hardly shone. His kicking game was sometimes good too. He even had some high quality defensive moves. Like the decisive “contest” in the 22 meters of his team (56th).
6. Juan Bautista Pedemonte: 7.5/10
The Argentinian had a colossal game in defense. Always well placed, he spent his time cutting Béziers. He was also valuable in the ground combat zones where he often slowed down the opponent’s ball releases with a touch of intelligence and naughtiness. Argentinian fashion. He was one of the great architects of the Vannes success built mainly on defensive quality and state of mind.
1. Andy Bordelai 8/10
Like his good season, the Vannes left pillar put in a great performance. Very active in the game, he showed off with the ball in hand, notably on a breakthrough where he managed to pass his arms, unfortunately concluded by an interception (13e). On defense, he was already credited with seven tackles at halftime. Above all, he dominated his opposite Jon Zabala.
Other notes from Vannes:
- 15. Gwenaël Duplenne: 6/10
- 14. Paul Surano: 6.5/10
- 13. Andres Vilaceca: 5.5/10
- 12. Alex Arrate: 6/10
- 11. Romaric Camou: 6/10
- 10. Maxime Lafage: 6/10
- 8. Sione Kalamafoni: 6.5/10
- 7. Francisco Gorrissen: 6.5/10
- 5. Darren O’Shea: 6.5/10
- 4. Anton Bresler: not rated, replaced by Joe Edwards (5e): 6.5/10
- 3. Pagakalasio Tafili: 7/10
- 2. Cyril Blanchard: 6.5/10
Detailed notes from Béziers:
15. Gabin Lorre: 6.5/10
The full-back with thirteen tries this season was once again very valuable with the length of his left-footed play. But offensively, Gabin Lorre also stood out by not hesitating to bring up the balls from his backfield. Like his magnificent try scored in the first half where he had a feast in the Vannes defense by navigating between several defenders and holding the ball in one hand. An achievement logically refused for a prior obstruction by Tim Nanai-Williams. A first turning point in this semi-final. Gabin Lorre still gave himself a fourteenth try in the last ten minutes, being the quickest after a little play at the foot of Charly Malié. The test of hope for the people of Biterrois. But it was too late, his partners had messed up too much before…
13. Tim Nanai-Williams: 3/10
The experienced ASBH center was not very inspired. First sanctioned for keeping the ball on the ground after procrastinating too much (20th). Then especially at fault on a magnificent Béziers movement at the heart of the first half which led to Gabin Lorre’s try. By hitting Alex Arrate without the ball, Nanai-Williams deprived his team of an important achievement while the Héraultais led 3-0. In the second half, the Samoan poorly negotiated a surplus in the Vannet 22 meters by committing a forward pass (49th). Nanai-Williams was unfortunately involved in several missed opportunities for the Biterrois… Replaced shortly after the hour mark by Paul Recor.
4. Hans Nkinsi: 3.5/10
While he had started this semi-final as he had finished the play-off against Brive, that is to say in a thunderous manner, the solid second row of ASBH was guilty of several avoidable errors in the second act which are expensive for the people of Hérault. On the positive side, Nkinsi was one of the rare Biterrois to advance on impact as in this first charge on Anton Bresler. He is also inspired on a highlight of his team (38th) by opening the interval for Pauta with a well-felt pass. On the negative side, he was the author of a delayed charge at the start of the second half which forced the referee M. Rousselet to return a penalty which could have allowed his teammates to get back in front of the score (46th). Nkinsi was sanctioned again a few minutes later while his team was close to the opposing line (58th). Two actions that cost a lot in the end….
Other notes from Béziers:
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14. Paul Réau: 5/10
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12. Taleta Tupuola: 5.5/10
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11. Nicolas Plazy: 5/10
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10. Charly Malié: 3.5/10
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9. Samuel Marquès: 4.5/10
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8. Otunuku Pauta: 4.5/10
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7. Clément Ancely: 5.5/10
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6. William Van Bost: 5.5/10
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5. Pierre Gayraud: 4.5/10
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3. Jon Zabala: 3.5/10
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2. Wilmar Arnoldi: 6/10
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1. Francisco Fernandes: 4/10
