Top 14 – Yannick Bru (Bordeaux Bègles) responds to Poitrenaud after the victory of Union Bordeaux Bègles in Toulouse: “I think his sentence lacked class”

What are your first impressions after this success against Stade Toulouse?

She makes the whole group happy. We set off on a new adventure, new players and a different energy with performance objectives. It’s true that coming to win, at Ernest Wallon, is special, the UBB has never done it. This challenge enlivened us and we are really happy… But in this happiness, we know that there is a reception in 6 days and another to follow. This is only the fourth day of the Top 14, this does not prejudge anything about the future.

What should this victory bring?

It should give us confidence in our rotation strategy. The choices made in this match have sometimes been widely criticized, but we must maintain confidence in our squad and in their desire to maintain emulation on the pitch. Today, the players put in the energy and commitment that will give confidence in our defense and in our solidarity. Above all, that was the challenge in coming here. We knew that this could come down to money-time, we have already learned it the hard way and we could have lost today… (Regarding the penalty giving Bordeaux victory Editor’s note) There are few referees who would have taken responsibility for whistling in Toulouse like Tual Trainini, so bravo to him. Even if there are certain decisions that can be debated, he took responsibility and that is the mark of greats.

You made the choice to field a very active pack in the ground game, was it the objective to come against the square in this aspect?

Toulouse always wants to impose its power and its speed of play and it is important to be able to compete in its sectors. We had chosen to try to finish the match with a lot of power because it was in the money time that Toulouse decided to crush their opponents as they were able to do to us in the past. I think we really learned from our experiences, all the players were able to successfully pass the baton on the pitch.

I know that we must not lack humility because the red and black machine will be able to crush us another time.

You win this match without everything being perfect, especially in conquest…

We had some delays in this sector from the start of the match. But we managed to exploit offensive initiatives and move the Toulouse defense. It’s a shame that Loulou (Louis Bielle-Biarrey) didn’t decide to try it out alone in the second half, which could have given us comfort for the end of the match. But we must not lack humility. Overall, we suffered a lot in the second half while chasing Toulouse. But it was our courage, our solidarity and our efforts on the ground that made it possible to plug the gaps. We don’t get carried away either, we could have lost too.

Precisely before, the UBB lost each time in the final moments…

It’s new energy and new goals. The squad has changed too, we also want to climb the steps little by little. We had prepared for this with a lot of humility… I actually know Clément (Poitrenaud), frankly he is a humble and hardworking person, and I was surprised by the little sentence he said about We. I find that this is not done and that it lacks respect and class. Obviously, we were a little offended. Me on the other hand, I know that we must not lack humility because the red and black machine will be able to crush us other times. We must remain lucid, the players can be proud of themselves because they ticked the boxes announced during the week.

Also read: Poitrenaud: “For me the “Galactics”, it’s those who win the matches that count”

Last year there was a big first in Toulon, now there is Toulouse. Are you aware of marking the history of the Union Bordeaux Bègles on paper?

Marking the history of the UBB will take time, it must involve winning trophies. We are still among the students at the back of the class if we compare ourselves to Toulouse, we must not get excited. When everything is going well in Bordeaux, we are in more danger than usual. We will have to re-mobilize quickly and take advantage of this special moment. The Top 14 is terrible for those who act smart… They fall into the ravine as my son would say (laughs).

A word about Matéo Garcia, he hadn’t played a single minute this year, and he just scored a decisive penalty for you.

He’s ready to go to the NFL (laughs)! We are very happy with him, we made a 6-2 bench since he can cover the back and the opening. He’s one of our best players in front of goal, we knew it could come down to that. It’s nice, he took his responsibilities but we wouldn’t have blamed him if she hadn’t stopped by. The start of the season is not easy for him with the recruitment of Joey Carbery. But we don’t forget Matéo who was also very important for us last season. He will also have moments to express himself and bring his talent to the team.