While his team had a rather average match, opener Camille Lopez was keen to point out that his team were patient, finally winning fairly well against Castres (33-12).
Camille, the match took a while to settle, but we never really felt you were in danger…
Oui, the match settles down a little towards the endbut despite everything, there was serenity. It's important, too. Above all, I think that in the first period, our small errors meant that Castres Olympique stayed in the match, sticking to the score. We had chances in the scoring area, but we didn't put them in the net. We didn't take the lead, but we tried, that's our philosophy. In the second half, we took the points because we had to be more calm in the match and take the lead little by little, three points by three points.
In your opinion, did the bench's contribution change the match?
I don't know if we contributed anything, it's not for me to say, but we were happy to get into the match and try to contribute. We have managed to do things, but we are going to be demanding of ourselves. We have to be in order to continue moving forward. Today, it lacks fluidity, there are a lot of small dross, details which mean that our game is not fluid, does not develop well enough. We miss passes and narrowly. These are things that need to be resolved.
Upset for a good part of the match, the Bayonnais finally gained the upper hand over Olympic Castres and temporarily found themselves on the Top 14 podium. An almost perfect first half of the season ud83dudc4f
The match film > https://t.co/WzyufI2xEg pic.twitter.com/DNOwB6Rcth
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR)
Despite all this, you are third in the rankings this evening…
We won in Vannes, although we were not good. There we were very efficient, but also very undisciplined. We didn't have territory, we didn't have possession, but we won. Today we weren't extraordinary, but we won by being fairly calm. You don't have “the straw” that makes you stressed. This evening, we consolidate the place in the six, but I put a caveat, because we are only halfway through the championship. We would have signed at the start of the season to be in this place, but there is still half a season to go and God knows the Top 14 is complicated. Afterwards, obviously, it’s great for us to be in this place.
Today, are you talking about the top six or the top eight?
Currently, we are in the six and in the end, it is the first six who play the final phase…
Does all this make you want to play the final phase?
As long as we're in this place, as long as it lasts and we're there at the end. That would just be a bonus! The objective at the start of the season was set, which was to be in the top eight. Now, if we can consolidate this place in the six. It suits me to play in the finals with this club.
What can you tell us about Sireli Maqala’s contribution?
There's not much to say about him. He demonstrates every weekend that he is a great, quality player. He's an X factor, he breaks tackles, scores tries, makes contests. When you have Sireli in this form, it's great for the team and the club. Last year we didn't see him too much because of injuries and the World Cup. There, that makes the difference…
Were you able to chat with your former teammate, Rémy Baget?
No, at all, I met him just before the match. I didn't have time to chat with him, but we'll chat this evening since he's staying here.
Were you surprised by his performance?
No. He had already proven it by being here. At this club, he scored a bunch of tries with us. He is a creative rugby player, who takes initiatives, tries things and often succeeds. We are not surprised by its quality today.
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