After a slap such as the one suffered by the Rochelais in front of their audience against Vannes, Saturday (14-23), there are several schools to analyze the consequences. For some, this may be a blessing in disguise before facing Bath (at the Recreation Ground, Friday, at 9 p.m.) then Bristol (December 14, at 9 p.m. at Deflandre), co-leaders of the English Premiership, in Champions Cup. What's better than one electroshock before two shocks? To see, with a group as illegible as its game plan but capable of anything.
We can also say that this was hanging over the noses of Maritimes who do not deserve better. More pessimistic, this view takes into account the fact that this shipwreck is not a first. Just remember the 37-7 in San Sebastián against Bayonne and the warning shot administered in October by President Vincent Merling. Yes, this Stade Rochelais is presumptuous and if it forgets to fight too much, it blurs its image.
Cohesion is not obvious
When he was a double reigning European champion (2022 and 2023), his manager Ronan O'Gara wanted to create a dynasty. Alas, in recent months, we wonder above all what legacy will leave this less mentally solid group, which purrs, visibly satisfied, perhaps for lack of external contributions. Nolann Le Garrec and Davit Niniashvili, two young people who have not won anything yet, will undoubtedly do a lot of good this summer. In the meantime, December, January and these first two days of the Champions Cup will say a lot about the real level of the players and the entire staff.
“We really need to all sit down in a room, look in the mirror and say things to each other.”
Because when an entire team – and not just several elements – misses out, it’s because it also happened during the week. “We will have to watch the match again. I hope everyone will do it, not just half the team, warns Uini Atonio. When we lose, I hope everyone accepts it. » This doubt is not insignificant since during and after the match, when the players took time to regroup around the captain, cohesion was not obvious.
“It’s more up to us, the leaders, to manage that,” replies the pillar. On the field, we don't do scrums and carry balls individually, but we scored two tries on mauls. But we really need to all sit down in a room, look in the mirror and say things to each other. Because if we continue like this, the season will be very long. We have to find the trigger now, not in March. » “It was a group of individuals tonight, we've never played like that before. This is a horrible signal for everyone. I am aware of the meaning of this defeat,” says O’Gara.
-“We all need action”
“Have I prepared well for the week, the context, planned things? asks the La Rochelle manager. I look at my role and I think about how to do better but in rugby, commitment, appetite and will are three extremely important values, and we lacked all three. It was at home before the Champions Cup and we missed each other in every area. The main architect is me, it's a big slap in the face. In my culture, motivation comes from yourself but in this championship, here, I have to shout more during the week with some. Can you imagine? (Incredulous.) Ronan O'Gara must yell more this week…”
“Here, I have to yell more during the week with some people. Can you imagine? Ronan O'Gara must yell more this week »
He also criticized the lack of fluidity in Mr. Rozier's refereeing before the scrums, not ideal according to the technician six days before a shock at the “Rec”. But it was up to the Rochelais to increase the pace… “We’ve hit rock bottom,” he breathes. I hope their minds were elsewhere, but it's always an excuse. At some point, we must take our responsibilities, everyone must improve the things they control. »
What needs to change? ” All. It’s not funny,” says “ROG” while some believe it’s a witticism. “I thought we were done with things like that, that we had started our season. It's the opposite. We look for consistency in our game, in certain positions, in certain leaders. In many things. It wasn't a young team tonight […] Our supporters need action. We all need action now. I have confidence my team can react positively. » It is better because, in the event of a defeat at Bath then against Bristol, “it will end like last year, in Dublin, taking 40 points and slaps”, concludes Atonio. But for that, you will already have to qualify…
