Rodez keeps up the pace – ladepeche.fr

When the suspense comes down to whether the offensive bonus point will be kept until the end, it's generally a good sign. Rodez's only scare on the Nègrepelisse pitch yesterday came at the end of the match, after Mathieu Simon's corner try (72nd). Not enough to threaten the overall outcome of the meeting, clearly dominated by Patrick Furet's men, who had long since left the scoreboard behind. And it's not enough to chase away their smiles when the final whistle blows, because the Ruthenians have indeed managed to achieve an improved success.

This result rewards a successful performance and clear domination on their part. It also confirms an impression born in recent weeks, that the blood and gold team is on the verge of playing the leading roles in its group, while perhaps waiting for better. With this new victory, her sixth in a row, she is in any case following the pace of the leader, Le Bugue, while she is one match behind.

“But we can't just say we have five pointssqueaked the coach at the end of the meeting. I didn't like the last thirty minutes. Respecting your opponent is valid from the 1st to the 80th minute. The same goes for the game plan, you have to apply it to the end.” According to Patrick Furet, this scenario shows “that we are not yet at full capacity. We must remain alert.”

Delcayre remembered the good memories of Nègrepelisse

While waiting to know what level the Ruthenois can reach, one thing is certain, the one they currently display is enough to dominate most of their opponents. Because before the less successful last half hour, Arnaud's partners Miquel and Shaun Venter, returning from injury, clearly dominated the debates.

Initially, the foot of Alexandre Vaffier allowed them to take the lead. Then the third line got involved. Mathieu Delcayre scored the first try of the match in his purest style, all percussion, after a 20-meter ride following a lost touch from Tarn-et-Garonnais (24th). The Nègrepelisse lawn inspires him, since he scored three tries there during Rodez's victory last season (34-29). He was then imitated by his sidekick Sokivea Nadialobo, who pierced the defense after a handball penalty (35th).

The gap increased after returning from the locker room. Vaffier was opportunistic to flatten after a loose ball, during an action initiated by a breakthrough from Venter (45th). The fourth banderilla was planted by Jonathan Bel, at the conclusion of a beautiful first-hand collective movement following a melee in midfield (49th).

“We must not give up hope”

“When we are clean on the fundamentals, when we put speed into the game, when we win the fight in the ruck zones, things go well for us”appreciated Patrick Furet about the conquering face shown by his team, before the drop in speed at the end of the match. “We must be thirsty to continue to score, not to give up hope, he warned. Otherwise, one day it will fail us.”