During each Top 14 match, L’Indépendant offers its favorites and favorites. After the victory against Bordeaux (37-30), look back at the performance of the blood and gold.
We liked
The constant desire to play
This is the hallmark of this team. She plays endlessly. This was the case when she was fighting for maintenance and there was no reason not to continue now that she is assured of remaining in the Top 14. In any case, the rare times this season when USAP has wanted to play differently, she got her feet wet. So when after ten delicate first minutes, being deprived of balls and suffering in their camp, yet with the wind at their backs, the Catalans raised their heads, it was not by sending big pumps into the field opponent, but by resuming the basics of their game: ground combat, movement, speed, play after contact and an element of irrationality. USAP is capable, like very few teams in this championship, of managing momentum. These periods during which one team has the upper hand and the opponent must be pushed down. On Saturday, that resulted in four tries in 18 minutes in the first half… Just that…
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The culling of the third line
The players change, the performance remains. On Saturday, Jacobus Van Tonder and Patrick Sobela, usual starters in the Catalan third row, were missing. Kélian Galletier, always very good when he plays, was not in the group. And yet, the third line was exceptional. With defensive slaughter and an offensive presence at all times. Joaquín Oviedo did what he knows how to do: huge in defense, sharp in attack. And as a bonus, he scored, which is not necessarily frequent for him. At his side, Alan Brazo, co-best Catalan tackler with his Argentinian teammate (13) was up to his standards. Essential on the touchline and everywhere in defense. The third thief, Lucas Bachelier, less used this season and who played his first Top 14 match at home of the year, also had a crucial role. Placed at the back of the key, he played the control tricks and was responsible for receiving the balls in the first two attempts on penaltouche. Tireless in defense, he provided a lot of support in the rucks. Proof once again that whatever its composition, the Catalan third line is always there.
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Crossdale Speed
We hadn’t seen him since the reception in Castres. Ali Crossdale had a complicated second half of the season due to injuries. He has only played six matches in 2024. But when he is on the field, he brings something extra to the USAP game. His speed is an exceptional asset. Whether to put pressure on opposing receivers on high balls, or in the game. Against Bordeaux, the one who is undoubtedly, in pure speed, one of the fastest in the championship, twice put Damian Penaud, yet he is also renowned for his speed, on his heels. In the first half, he took almost 15m from the international tricolor to recover a ball cleared from the Catalan 22m by De la Fuente. Starting from 10 m, the English winger saves the touch with a magnificent inside foot in the Bordeaux 40 m, then picks up the ball to flatten it. A high-class action that he almost repeated in the second half on a clearance, this time, from Lucas Dubois. Once again, Penaud found himself overwhelmed.
We didn’t like
The absence of bonuses
Honestly, it’s good because we have to put one on… Given the scenario of the first half, USAP could have considered taking a bonus. But it was obviously very complicated against a Bordeaux team which is playing for the title. The Catalans have absolutely nothing to reproach themselves at this level. But this point could be costly in the race for the Top 8 (or Top 6).
