Christophe Urios was a happy man this Saturday afternoon. The Clermont manager was particularly satisfied with the performance made by the Jaunards to overcome Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
Christophe, what did you like after your men's victory against Bordeaux-Bègles?
Victory, even if I think we deserved the offensive bonus. This does not spoil my state of mind, especially given my speech the day before. Then, we started the game well and we were able to be effective in the scoring areas. We dominated the match and took on the Bordelais on their strong point: the physical dimension. This is not an easy team to play in the ground game. It's not my expression, but I like to say that Clermont was a good vintage this evening!
Especially since the week has been particularly hectic…
Effectively. When you don't add all the ingredients and you can't do it, it sucks. But there is pride in this group. The week has been hectic and tense in a good way and we need that. I'm starting to understand things in this group and in my relationship with the players. This is a group that needs some poking!
Is this why you went green this Friday evening?
It seemed important to me to get together, especially since the match was at 2:30 p.m. and the kickoff was going to happen quickly. We brought in some former ASM players, it was a good time, really.
Clermont was expected after the rout in Paris and responded (32-27). The Girondins, long feverish in defense and not realistic enough in their highlights, leave with the defensive bonus thanks to a try from Matiu at the siren.
Notes > https://t.co/xXSSRhqOFF pic.twitter.com/ZErlgntxMW
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1852735621569105992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What was the message to convey?
We do it regularly during the season but this time I wanted to tell them that we were all passing through and that when there are people who have bled with this jersey, we have to remember it. It's a good way to convey that.
Do you have the rugby that you imagined before the match?
Yes, we were strong on our launches and our pair of centers performed well. Léon (Darricarrère) and Pierre (Fouyssac) are two real centers. Last year we should have beaten UBB and Pierre was already playing. He needed to start his season, George (Moala) is not at his best level, Lucas (Tauzin) was tired, and for Pierre, it was a moment to rebel.
You scored three tries from sideline throws. Did you target this area?
This is not an achievement because UBB takes a lot of sideline tries, they are not a good sideline team. But indeed, we were efficient and clinical. In a match like this, it's important.
Pita-Gus Sowakula did a lot of it. What is your view on him?
He is a “different” player, he is very technical and he gives us this interesting touch of the ball in hand. There was a good complementarity between Alexandre Fischer and Fritz Lee. It was a recovery match for him but he was there. Just like Barnabé (Massa) who made a good entrance. If the club works well, he will be the great leader of tomorrow; he has this rage that Clermont needs. Like Baptiste Jauneau.
A word on Thibaud Lanen’s injury. Is it serious?
It's not much. I'm not a doctor, and it's a shame because it would go faster (laughs). But it's almost the same injury that Anthime Hemery suffered in Perpignan, in the arm.
You have been sanctioned with twenty penalties. How do you explain it?
I'm going to say that Mr. Marbot was very hard on us, but I knew that from the end of the match against Toulon. He's a human being. On the last try we scoreif there is a fault from Peceli (Yato), it is really limited. There is no consistency with the test he refused at Bordeaux-Bègles for the same fault.
Are you all the more satisfied to have finally beaten your old club?
I'm happy because we beat a very high level team. Whether it’s Bordeaux, Toulouse or La Rochelle I don’t care. It was important to beat them and especially on their strengths. It will make me drink a good beer! Tonight we're in the six, that's not bad for a club in crisis, right?
