De shadow to light. Union Bordeaux-Bègles was led 29-0 by Vannes a little after the half hour of play, they then inflicted an incredible 37-0 on their opponent to bring back a victory as stunning as it was precious in the standings. This comeback will be a milestone in the club's young history, especially if the four points gleaned at La Rabine allow it to advance directly to the semi-finals in the spring. In the shorter term, they allow us to consolidate second place.
After its defeats in La Rochelle and Clermont, the UBB had to correct its situation on the outside. She did so in spectacular fashion, displaying two diametrically opposed faces. The French vice-champions, stunned for a long time, believed in it until the end. And they achieved their goals. Without any particular outpouring of joy at the final whistle, as proof that there was nothing to boast about.
Jalibert injured
The other notable fact of this evening is that Matthieu Jalibert is definitely not in the best period of his career. After this cruel international sequence, he thought he would find a smile again for his return to club business. His hopes were quickly dashed. Or rather mowed down by a crutch inflicted in old-timer style by Mako Vunipola (3rd), who voluntarily let his leg drag to hit the thigh of the opener, forced to come out a few moments later. His unavailability will be scrutinized.
UBB players and staff had insisted, during the week, on the need to start matches well. History of twisting the neck of a nasty habit and therefore a nasty statistic: out of 14 tries conceded away since the start of the season, eight had been before the 25th minute. Good intentions have not been followed by action. It's been a long time since this team delivered such a catastrophic first period. At Rabine, she experienced a nightmare.
Carried by a public in heaven, eager to set the rhythm to no end and in total success, the Vannes residents scored almost every time they set foot in the 22 meters from Bordeaux to Béglais (3rd, 13th , 19th, 32nd). They were faster, more powerful and more precise in everything they did. Impossible for UBB to compete while being so dominated in impacts, so wait-and-see and behind in defensive replacements.
“We did anything”
In short, commitment was lacking. The copy of this first act was enough to leave you speechless, as Yannick Bru's men were outclassed in all areas of the game, particularly up front. This is both worrying and inexplicable, considering the ambitions of this team and the absence of a match last weekend. “We did anything,” admitted Yann Lesgourgues.
Of course, Matthieu Jalibert's injury didn't help. Obviously, Vannes had the wind at their backs. But that is not enough. The Union, who also lost two touches and committed six forwards, waited until the very end of the first period to wake up. Ben Tapuai's first-hand try (40th, 29-7) kept hope alive and lit a precious spark. Because after the break, a completely different team returned to the field. More determined, more fiery, perhaps more proud too.
At 15 against 13
In a spectacular reversal of physiognomy, Bordeaux-Bègles had almost made up ground on the hour mark, thanks to tries from Cyril Cazeaux (42nd), Arthur Retière (46th) and a penalty try (56th). On this last action, Vannes collected two yellow cards, for unfair play (direct contact to the neck and head) and the spaces naturally opened up. At the end of a movement across the width, Bochaton passed his arms to Cazeaux.
The second row, hit after touching down, also received a penalty. And that's how the UBB, more consistent without being brilliant, came back from nowhere to take the lead (66th, 29-34)! In the relay of a Mateo Garcia not in a great evening against the posts, Joey Carbery even passed the penalty which protected his team from a converted try (75th, 29-37). And secured a victory that no one saw coming an hour earlier.
Notes
7/10 Cazeaux, Bochaton
6/10 Carbery, Swinton, Retière
5/10 Poirot, Matiu, Coleman, Diaby, Lesgourgues, Garcia, Van Rensburg
4/10 Sadie, Sam, Ubert
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