Racing 92 won its match against Lyon one minute from the end, but a final penalty against Ciel et Blanc allowed LOU Rugby to finish with a tie (25-25). This last penalty was a bit of a symbol of the evil of Racing 92: indiscipline. And if for Lyon, who needed points, this draw is rather a good thing, for the Altoséquanais, it is very clearly synonymous with defeat.
Frustration therefore, and even anger, when we look at the words of Cameron Woki, who spoke at a press conference. The French international (who was also sanctioned with a yellow card at the start of the match) clearly targeted these too many sanctions against his team: such a large number of penalties is just not possible.
Aside from the try they were able to put in, on an action where they really played their game, we gave them everything. I can't be clearer. For me, this draw is a defeat. For our return to Paris-La Défense-Arena, we should have won (…) This can't go on any longer. We must be professional and show the right attitudes, in the game on the ground and towards the referee. The reaction must come from us, the players.
The absence of Fickou, second penalizing factor?
Stuart Lancaster, the manager of Racing 92 (officially confirmed in his role), also expressed his disappointment at a press conference, with a result which, for him too, has a main explanation: “For me, it feels like we lost. Offensively, we played very well in the first half. The only reason the score was so close was because of our lack of discipline.”
Everyone seems to agree on the problem to be identified for Racing 92. But Stuart Lancaster will still find another cause for his group's difficulties in the second half: the exit of Gaël Fickou. The international center and captain of the Racingmen had to leave the field during the break following a hand injury. And he was so good in the first forty minutes that it must have played a role, as Le Parisien notes: “I think his absence was a big problem for us in the second half,” regrets Stuart Lancaster. “Without him, we lost a lot of energy.”
To summarize
Racing 92 won its match against Lyon one minute from the end, but a final penalty against Ciel et Blanc allowed LOU Rugby to finish with a tie (25-25). This last penalty was a bit of a symbol of the evil of Racing 92: indiscipline. Cameron Woki was very disappointed with this result, even furious with the scenario experienced, especially in the 2nd period.
