This Bayonne supporter is always in good faith as long as the referee goes his way. Perched at the top of the Honor stand at the Jean-Dauger stadium, with a mischievous eye, he often calls out “THE RED!” » on opposing faults. This Saturday against Castres (33-12), he abstained, sufficiently satisfied by the score of his protégés. As a good gourmand – and this has nothing to do with his slight overweight – he nevertheless had a little room left: “We could almost have left with the offensive bonus”, he whispered after Sireli Maqala's attempt in the stoppage time. The Basques were still missing two achievements, who did not necessarily deserve it. “Ah well if everything has to be justified now…”, he smiled, turning on his heel.
Rowing has never been at such a high altitude since the advent of professionalism.
What is, is the fourth place of the Bayonnais at mid-championship. Grégory Patat's players are even tied on points (38) with Toulon, who complete the podium behind UBB and Toulouse. This is unprecedented. Rowing has never been at such a high altitude since the advent of professionalism. Once, in 2008-2009, the Blue and White came close, with 37 units and a 4th place after 13 days. They had the same record: 9 victories for 4 defeats. Six months later, they failed to reach the final stages.
“It would suit me to play the final stages with this club. » The smile is carnivorous. The international is hungry
Gourmets
When Camille Lopez spoke to the media, we thought it was a bit of a slip of the tongue. “We are in the 6 but it is at the end that we have to be there to play the final phases. » The initial ambition – the top 8 – would no longer really satisfy the Bayonnais, given their excellent career. “The objective for the start of the season has been set,” he adds. Now, it would be good to consolidate this place in the 6 because it would suit me to play the final stages with this club. » The smile is carnivorous. The international is hungry.
His manager too. Would he be disappointed to finish in 7th or 8th place next June? The question makes Grégory Patat smile. “I would fulfill an objective…” His end of sentence, in suspense, called for a “but”. What could be more logical? Its players are nine units ahead of 7th place. It's colossal. The final stages are not an aberration for Rowing, the only regular in the division to have never played them in the professional era. “Today, we are well established in this top 6. The horizon is a little clearer. 38 points halfway is very good. But we are competitors, we always want to win more. We must seize the opportunities that present themselves. » There is one.
Content to improve
To catch it, you will have to raise the level and erase the imperfections. Bayonne will not always win by playing badly, like in Vannes (21-27), or approximately, referring to this weekend. “In terms of content, there is room for criticism,” admits Patat. We're frustrated, and that's a good thing. »The level of requirements will rise, assures Camille Lopez. “We have to be in order to continue moving forward. There are a lot of little dross, little details that lead to a lack of fluidity in our game.”
The next two months will show a strong trend. Sireli Maqala, top scorer in the championship (10 tries), and his friends will only play four championship matches, including three trips to Montpellier (January 4), Perpignan (January 25) and Toulouse (February 22, a double weekend ). The reception will be salty: the UBB will come to Jean-Dauger on February 15 or 16 in the evening. “The room for maneuver is tiny,” insists Patat. “Our positioning is great but I want to put a small caveat: we are only halfway through the championship,” says Lopez. We would have signed in August to be there but there is still half a season to go, and God knows the Top 14 is complicated. »Amen.
Chouzenoux absent for 3 weeks, Orabé relapses
The infirmary. Hard blow for Yohan Orabé. Absent for several weeks, the 22-year-old full-back suffers from pubalgia which should keep him away from the field for a long time. An operation is even being studied. He did not participate in the victory against Castres this Saturday, unlike captain Baptiste Chouzenoux, who left in the 24th minute following an acromioclavicular sprain. His absence is estimated at three or four weeks. He will therefore miss the next trip to Montpellier, on January 4, like Rodrigo Bruni. The Argentine third row, author of the first try this Saturday, did not respond favorably to the concussion protocol in the 33rd minute.