Enterprising and efficient, the Ain team dispelled their doubts and showed true care.
Alexandre Ruiz had however warned his players: “We reminded them that twice already this season we had awakened a wounded beast, Béziers and Mont-de-Marsan, but against Oyonnax we were absent in the intensity, in the fight. Our rugby was lacking. But you have to agree that you have the right to lose against someone better than you.”
In view of the content proposed, the intensity imposed, the efficiency displayed, it is clear that Oyonnax was indeed better than the Charente team, even that the Aindini team finally showed its true face. “We know the amount of work that has been put in since the start of the season and we were convinced that we were not far from the truth. We had to settle certain details. Above all, we had to succeed in freeing ourselves from the doubts which weighed us down at the beginning. Over the last few weeks, against Soyaux-Angoulême we found a conquering team who knew how to show passion. We also saw the game towards which we must go. retains Fabien Cibray. For Oyonnax, the wake-up call has finally rung, symbolically in the face of the hitherto most successful team on the road.
This determination and this passion evoked by the Oyonnaxian manager guided the group from the first to the last minute, from the try scored by Gavin Stark to the reception of a kick from Zack Holmes, to the one scored by Maëlan Rabut in response to the unique Charente achievement.
Lots of reasons for satisfaction
To the seven tries registered to pick up the second offensive bonus of the season (after the one won against Nice) are added other reasons for satisfaction which constitute all explanations for the long-awaited renewal: discipline (no cards, 11 penalties conceded ), the quality of the conquest (one touch lost but three won on opposing throws), the volume of play (163 balls passed) without forgetting the precision of the kicking game. “A lot of things lined up,” agrees Fabien Cibray, adding to his satisfaction: “We won the collisions. The players respected what was asked of them. We will debrief this match well.”
Maëlan Rabut summarizes this meeting which for Oyonnax must mark a new beginning: “Who dares wins! We have to play, we did it and everything worked. This match follows a very consistent week, we come out with some certainties on which we will be able to rely to continue moving forward… But while remaining very vigilant during our previous improved victory against Nice we thought we had launched our season…” To confirm, we will still have to dare.
Swiss
