Present at the post-match press conference as is often the case after a defeat, La Rochelle manager Ronan O'Gara did not mince his words after the home defeat against Vannes (14-13) this Saturday in the Top 14 .
What do you feel, hot?
At the moment I don't need to look too deep because live it was easy to see who was going to win the match. The best team won. Congratulations to Vannes. A team with a lot of will, appetite, desire, aggression and a good game plan. They were better than us. When it’s like that, I have to congratulate them. We took a lesson this evening. Rugby is about commitment, appetite and will. These are three extremely important values and we missed three tonight. Tonight, eh, not generally. The only positive thing tonight is that there is a game Friday night (trip to Bath, for the opening of the Champions Cup, Editor's note)
This is the immense feat of the 11th day! The Vannetais went for an incredible victory – their first away this season – against the Rochelais who were far too wait-and-see and without a solution (14-23).
The report > https://t.co/LTrC1JI8nx pic.twitter.com/t18XFwzC30
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR)
You have already experienced slaps at home (against Pau, Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon or even Castres) in recent seasons. Do you experience it as news, after sixteen victorious receptions in a row in the Top 14?
The thing that disappoints me the most is the content. What is that! ? This is a total lack of precision. We didn't show anything in front of our loyal supporters. It was a home match to prepare for the European Cup. We failed in all areas. But the main architect is me. It’s a big slap in the face, yes.
Did you notice any warning signs?
No ! No ! Look at the team, look at the experience. Wardi, Atonio, Douglas, Skelton, Botia, Haddad, Jegou, West, Iribaren… When you think things are going well after a good second half at Castres… In my culture, the motivation comes from yourself. But in the championship, here, with some, I think I have to shout more during the week. Can you imagine? I have to shout more this week, Ronan O'Gara has to shout more this week!
What did you say to your players at the break?
It was Brice (Dulin) who spoke. We were two on time, we didn't add speed, we didn't attack with threat… Look at how Vannes tackled and attacked the rucks. Their hinge controlled the match well with a good kicking game, but we did not capitalize on our strong point. It's impossible with a referee like that to have rhythm in the match. We spent 25 minutes preparing for scrums, it's hellish. We would have liked to have a game to prepare for Europe with a little rhythm. What did we do this evening? I feel like the match lasted three hours.
Did your team lack respect towards Vannes?
No. I'm not in my players' shoes, but I don't think so. Because we lacked precision, commitment and aggressiveness. But respect, no. Even at 7-0, we did not realize our strong point. I haven't often seen our performance in scrums like that… On the touchline, in the kicking game either. Vannes dominated. It's a great result for the sport, but it's a catastrophic result for me. If you make a commitment like that, you deserve it. The Vannes residents learned from last week: if you keep knocking on the door, it will open. Vannes did that, and well done to them. But on the other hand, we have hit rock bottom! When you do that, you can't touch it up.
This is not the first time this has happened before a Champions Cup match. Did your players already have the lead in Bath?
I hope so. But it's still an excuse… There comes a time when we need to take responsibility, too. Everyone, including me, must improve the things they control. That doesn't happen in Toulouse.
What should I change for the trip to Bath?
All ! But it's not funny. What do we transfer from the training center to the match, what do we give the supporters to watch? Zero. It's serious. It's serious. Without commitment, aggression and will… I thought we had some done with things like that. I thought we were starting our season. We did the opposite.
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