Dince the start of the season, Union Bordeaux-Bègles has taken care to remember the mistakes of the past. On a physical level, she knows that she will have to present herself in the final stages in full possession of her means. This year, the staff is therefore committed to carrying out wider rotations from one weekend to the next, keeping a close eye on the minutes of play. Over the first 9 days of Top 14, 37 players were used. The Gironde club also knows that it will have to better negotiate the periods of doubles during which it dropped too many points last year to hope to grab a 2e place, directly qualifying for the semi-finals. The group was strengthened in this sense during the offseason. Some players must take over from the French internationals.
For the first “false” double of the season, UBB lost on the Clermont field (32-27) on Saturday, but managed to snatch a defensive bonus point at the very end of the match. “A lesser evil” in the eyes of Yannick Bru, annoyed by the three attempts conceded at the start and the lack of realism close to the lines. He also underlined the “lack of collective automatisms” on this meeting.
“With a little common sense, we realize that Jalibert, Moefana, Depoortere and Bielle-Biarrey are missing,” declared the Gironde manager after the meeting. “That’s still five players who have automatisms together. Our only collective session takes place on the last action. But it's not due to behavior, the players were generous. We were just messy at times, we lacked complicity. We know that we have room for improvement which is still very significant. We need to integrate certain players even better.”
Their second tenure
Since his arrival this summer, Temo Matiu has been hitting the screen. Despite his age and for his first Top 14 season, the young third row blended directly into the team (8 matches, 4 starts) and is very effective. In Clermont, he scored his 4e test, which allowed us to secure the defensive bonus. But since the start of the season, other players have not yet had the chance to continue with the UBB and have yet to gain strength.
“There have been things that are still promising regarding their impact”
On Saturday, many of them were only making their second start of the season. Slowed down by a broken hand during his first match in Lyon, Joey Carbery was impeccable against the poles (5/5). But the Irish flyhalf was still hesitant in controlling the game and occupying the game. Hampered by calf and shoulder discomfort, Rohan Van Rensburg advanced on each ball catch. But the powerful South African center three-quarter was also guilty of a few errors. Back after five weeks of suspension following his red card against Racing 92, Lachlan Swinton made his impact on the third row but is still finding his bearings. After a sleepless season and an injury to the orbital floor during the first preparation match in Tarbes (against Pau), Connor Sa is looking for rhythm at the hooker position. Just like Enzo Reybier on the wing.
In Clermont, “there have been things that are still promising regarding their impact,” recognizes Yannick Bru. But collectively, the result is too average compared to our objectives. We have work to do.”
