He who loses… wins. Strange feeling in the maritime ranks after a defeat in Treviso this Saturday evening 32 to 25. Stade Rochelais sees the Italians qualify for the final phase of the Champions Cup for the first time, but Ronan O’Gara’s men still pass in the 8th final thanks to the defensive bonus (defeat of 7 points or less in the European Cup) and even finished in second place in their group thanks to the goal average with Treviso. Leaving the Hoani Bosmorin stadium, the La Rochelle winger still had difficulty realizing:
“A huge burst of energy, for a defensive bonus!” – Gregory Alldritt –
“We learned it in the locker room actually. We were at the end of the match chasing one last try to snatch a draw, and in fact, it comes down to the number of points scored.” For Sébastien Boboul, the backs coach, “We’re taking it for a home match in the 8th of course, but the content of the match is worrying, and we lose twice in a row by not much.” Captain Gregory Alldritt regret him “a whole riot of enormous energy, in the end only taking a defensive bonus point. We didn’t come for that, we were more aiming for victory, but we must admit that Treviso gave itself the means to qualify.”
Who to face La Rochelle in the round of 16?
The 8th final will be played at Marcel Deflandre at the beginning of April, we will know the name of the opponent this Sunday evening, but until then La Rochelle will have to continue with a trip to Toulon next Sunday, and another to Lyon in mid-February. With the 6 nations tournament, several players from Stade Rochelais risk being included in the final list, we are thinking of Grégory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, or even the pillars Uini Atonio and Georges-Henri Colombe. On the other hand, Reda Wardi injured in the ribs is in the infirmary, just like Jonathan Danty who had knee surgery.
Canada
