Stade Rochelais, a monster that no longer really frightens

A victory that looks like a defeat. Last weekend, La Rochelle won at the last minute (22-19), thanks to a penalty after Antoine Hastoy’s siren, against the young guard of a completely rejuvenated Stade Toulousain, only 22 years old on average. of age. A new disillusionment for the Maritimes which no longer have much to do with the ogre which crushed the Old Continent in 2022 and 2023.

How can this decline be explained? Several avenues are being advanced. Less dominant frames, a game that is too stereotypical (focused solely on the strength of its forwards) and a manager, Ronan O’Gara, who is struggling to renew his discourse and his methods. This is a lot for a club which has been invited to the (very) big leagues in recent seasons.

Faced with his team’s decline, the Irish technician, known for his extreme demands, did not hesitate to recognize that his management is perhaps a little too brittle. According to him, his players “didn’t become bad players in three or six months. I think I’m more responsible than them. It’s the truth. With some, demandingness is confused with negativity. But it’s certain that I “frozen” a lot of players, not being able to handle the pressure put on them.”he conceded.

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During the last World Cup, La Rochelle was the second club supplying internationals for the French XV (7) behind Toulouse (10). The caravel club has since been “overtaken” in second place by the UBB. During the last tour in November, there were 11 people from Toulouse, 9 people from Bordeaux and 6 people from Rochelle.

The observation is there: there is no oil in the wheel, the workforce is aging

Jean-Pierre Elissalde

But “ROG” wants to believe in the awakening of its troops: “I’m not looking for excuses, I’m always looking for progression. I think that if everyone improves their investment and rugby is the real priority… There are so many good players who, at the moment, are not expressing themselves, I said that some are “frozen” by my demands and my speech, but it will be released very soon…” Grégory Alldritt in support of his manager: “Overall, things are going very well (with him). He never separates from his group, includes himself in all defeats, all victories. He’s the first to question himself when something goes wrong, everyone is fully behind him.”

However, some argue that the game of the Maritimes – who have built their recent successes on the impressive power of their pack – is now predictable, that it has failed to reinvent itself. In the columns of South West South African winger Dillyn Leyds brushed aside this hypothesis. “It’s not linked to our strategy, to our game plan, it’s more mental, in my opinion, he says. We think we’re going to win the match, but we don’t know how we’re going to do it, or what we have to do to make sure we win it. The staff and many leaders have talked about that, now it’s up to us to show it.”

Still, some players seem less dominant, notably the internationals Grégory Alldritt or Jonathan Danty (injured). If some do not disappoint – like Teddy Thomas (replaced in the center but suspended), Paul Boudehent or Oscar Jegou – the overall impression is that Stade Rochelais is less sovereign, that it no longer rolls over its opponents as it used to in the not so distant past. Especially since he is currently deprived of his Australian colossi Will Skelton, injured in the ankle, and Tolu Latu, suspended for a violent clearing against Toulouse.

Still, Jean-Pierre Élissalde, emblematic figure of Stade Rochelais of which he was a player and then coach, does not mince his words. “The observation is there: there is no oil in the wheel, the workforce is aging. The words are there because I read the press and they always say that they are ready and it’s time to act. On Sunday I see the same words and on Monday I see the same evils. he snapped at France Blue .

“We are slow, readable and we do not commit”

Symbol of the inconsistency of the Rochelais (2 victories in the last 5 Top 14 matches): the problems they encounter against supposedly “smaller” teams (Vannes, Perpignan) and the heavy setbacks where they appear totally overwhelmed (Bayonne , Montpellier). After the defeat conceded to Aimé-Giral (21-13), Ronan O’Gara was once again uncompromising: “We are slow, readable and we do not commit. Is it because some are afraid to come into contact with the great warriors of the USAP, or is it because we are not mentally up to the task? It’s my responsibility. I have to accept being criticized.”

No time to think about it. This Sunday’s shock against Leinster will be a revealer of the current level of this Stade Rochelais 2024-2025, which however remains 6th in the Top 14 and did not tremble to launch its Champions Cup campaign with two successes against the best English teams current (at Bath 20-24 then against Bristol 35-7). If the two victories in the Maritime final against the Leinstermen seem a long way away (2022 in Marseille, 2023 in Dublin), the heavy setback last April at the Aviva Stadium, in the quarter-final of the last edition ( 40-13) “which was humiliating”, recognized Grégory Alldritt.

The Irish province – reinforced this season by Springbok RG Snyman (substitute this Sunday) and All Black Jordie Barrett (finally starting at full-back after the withdrawal of Tommy O’Brien) – arrives in Charente-Maritime confident of its strength, undefeated in 11 outings this season. Surely determined to push a team in full doubt a little further. “It’s hard right now. We need to change something. We are suffering, our game is suffering. But that can change, it’s up to us to turn the wheel.” insists Ronan O’Gara who decided to line up a 7-1 bench with seven forwards and just one back. Reaction expected this Sunday afternoon.