Grégory Alldritt was right, after the spanking administered by Aviron Bayonnais in Saint-Sébastien (37-7) on Saturday. Stade Rochelais has already been able to recover from this type of rout. We think in particular of a 26-0 conceded in Bordeaux in November 2016, prelude to a series of 11 matches without defeat and a first place in the final. But it was then a young team in the Top 14 which remained in two 9th places. There, this slap was inflicted on a team full of internationals, European champions in 2022 and 2023.
To a workforce, above all, which remains in a very disappointing season. Obviously, the pride that this can generate is not enough to avoid such a disaster. It is therefore possible, as at the time, that it will do him a lot of good, leading to an even deeper questioning than this summer.
Because if many excuses were (legitimately) made during the 2023-2024 vintage, this time, the Maritimes benefited from a normal preseason and a good start. Of course, in the Basque Country, the back line was decimated, forcing Ihaia West to play diminished in the center. However, the Yellow and Black always let themselves be lulled by the same music, the one that wants 100%, this team has few equivalents.
“They had their heads down”
Problem, for several months, this has only been episodic, the Rochelais sometimes giving more the feeling of relying on their reputation than of trying to maintain it. What explains their already numerous failed first periods since the recovery? Possible.
What is certain is that they do not match their actions enough to words – the watchword, before Bayonne, was to attack hard and tighten the defense – and too often broadcast a certain presumption. This was the case against Racing 92 on September 28, during a victory snatched at the end of the match (16-17), when they finally woke up from their torpor.
The advantage of this 37 to 7 is that Grégory Alldritt’s partners can no longer build castles in Spain. They must go through severe introspection. If they missed too many field trips (at least 8) or too many touches (6), which the Basques thrived on, their main problem was not technical. “If we raised [des] trophies, it’s because we moved on the field. I have the impression that we have forgotten certain aspects a little,” said the maritime captain.
His former coach Grégory Patat, now manager of Rowing, noted body language that was “not good after the tests. Their heads were down, that’s not their habit. »
Faced with the undisputed leader, a Union Bordeaux-Bègles in great shape, Deflandre will undoubtedly see a very determined Rochelais, Sunday October 20 (9:05 p.m.). This is not necessarily where we can judge whether they have finally learned their lesson and understood that without desire, power is nothing. On the other hand, against UBB, we will see if the certainties of the start of the season have resisted this rout, and if they are truly able to respond to the complete game of the Girondins. Because be careful, no reputation can stand up to the reality of the facts.
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