Present this Friday at a press conference, Uini Atonio puts into perspective the inglorious dynamic of Stade Rochelais in the Top 14 and senses the awakening dawning in this month of January which opens with the reception at Deflandre of the leader and great rival from Toulouse (Saturday, 9:05 p.m. , 14th day of Top 14), for what will be the 100th consecutive “closed box office” match in the championship.
Stade Rochelais announced at the start of the week that you were the most used player in the current series of sold-outs (71 matches). What does this inspire you?
It's cool! It was “ROG” (Ronan O’Gara, the manager, Editor’s note) who showed me this on Monday. As someone who likes to play all the time, I think it's cool. It's beyond cool. It shows my regularity. Honestly, it's a pleasure to play so much. It's one more match than Saze (Romain Sazy is at 70 matches played out of the 99) knowing that it's been two years since he stopped (laughs)… So, it's good, it's cool.
And the number 100?
It shows how loyal our supporters are. We are really lucky to have a city that supports the team. Through highs and lows, they are always there. Whether it rains, snows, or 40°C, they are always there for us. One hundred “sellouts” is quite incredible. Even if we called them to come at midnight, I think everyone would be there (laughs).
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At the moment, the period is more delicate. After the defeat in Perpignan, La Rochelle is 6th of the Top 14, 14 points behind leader Toulouse. How are you coping with this situation?
This year, perhaps we are less efficient away from home, we have more downs than ups. We lost a match at home against Vannes. Maybe it's a different dynamic compared to years past. The good thing is that we're only halfway through the season, there are still 13 games left. It's up to us to change our face before the end of the season. We must not forget that we are a fairly united team. We work hard, we get the job done. It's just that we can't transfer everything we do in training to the field on Saturday. Especially outside.
For what ?
I don't have a solution. If I had a solution, I think we would win every away match. Maybe it's a question of play or desire, I can't tell you today. All I know is that there are 13 games left, 7 of which are away. It's up to us to make the effort. It's not about working harder. There is perhaps a mental side, too, thinking that it will be easy when we come up against teams lower ranked than us. I know that when you have a little poop on your ass, you move your ass. It showed when we went to Bath (20-24 victory, 1era day of the Champions Cup, in December), facing a first team in their championship, which wins every match. As soon as we have this fear, we come out of big matches. Today, we have no solution. Finally, we have solutions, but it's up to us to show it on Saturday, and when we go to play away.
Our ranking? To me, that doesn't mean anything. You can finish sixth and be champion!
The Toulouse reception is a very special poster for La Rochelle…
Whether it’s Toulouse, Toulon, Bordeaux… they’re still big matches. Even their B team is competitive. But, whatever team is lined up, we are ready. We didn't work any differently this week but when you lose an away match like that, it shows that the group is more concentrated compared to the previous week. But we can't just be in reaction. It has to be constant all year round. This week the guys came in with their heads down to work harder. Toulouse are leaders and it's up to us to make the effort to start this match well. And to play 80-minute matches. For the moment, we have not seen complete matches, compared to our abilities as players.
Also read:
Top 14 – Jean Bouilhou (Toulouse Stadium): “It will take solidarity, courage” against La Rochelle
And the ranking in all this?
Everything about rankings and points, frankly, I don't look at that much. To me, that doesn't mean anything. You can finish sixth and be champion! It's a unique championship, there is no truth in this championship. Except that of winning matches. We take it week by week. For the moment, we are more focused on our game and what we produce on Saturday. Now, I think, is the time to set the alarm.
What would you say to your supporters today to reassure them?
I don't think there's any more room for words now. Time for action. Every week, we come, we say that they are loyal, that they are 100% with us all the time. Afterwards, we go on the field and we produce a game that is quite different from what we announce during the week. So, today, not too many words… We're going to take action, I think. It's better, I think.
