The SUA, with an attractive game, needs to collect points to save itself. From there to reducing the sail in production?
Playing well is good, but getting points is better. The Agenais went on vacation upset, after a new rout in Armandie against Montauban (18-25). “This match hurt us a lot”concedes Mathieu De Giovanni. “A success would have allowed us to move to the right side of the ranking. In this case, we no longer have to look down. It's a little blow on the head but I felt the group was quite determined during the restart training”, continues the second line.
Either way, he has no choice. The SUA is playing to scare itself and the ranking is clearly not reassuring. There are points to make up, if possible this Friday evening in Béziers. Sébastien Calvet is counting on ten units collected at least during this block. But a success in Hérault would be welcome at the dawn of two crucial receptions against Oyonnax and Aurillac. For this, it will already be necessary to demonstrate regularity in the services. “Against Montauban, we dominated the match but we stupidly lost it. It's not the first time that this has happened to us. There are three or four forgotten successes which could have made us look upwards”regrets De Giovanni.
A more restricted game?
William Demotte also raised an important point post-match two weeks ago: the SUA is not “dirty” enough in certain areas. Understand by this that he must be a little more vicious and that he must play more with the rules to be respected by his opponent.
It is in this sense that it would not be surprising to see the Agenais reduce the scale of their production in the coming weeks. Demand more from the forwards and show less enthusiasm in attacking play, to hope to win close matches. Only the field will allow us to know whether or not the strategy evolves. But in the past, notably under Bernard Goutta, Sporting Union Agenais has proven that this rugby does not really correspond to its DNA. Will it at least allow you to “win dirty”?
Twenty years since Agen won in Béziers
It's been 20 years since the SUA had the slightest success on the road to Béziers. It was in 2004 and the Lot-et-Garonnais won 6-16. Since then, the club with eleven Brennus has clearly been one of the nemeses of the Agenais. In the fairly recent past, President Fonteneau's men have often received big scores in Hérault. Even if it is not the favorite, will the SUA succeed in putting an end to this dark streak?
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