The image is engraved for eternity. Bernard Viviès, hands on his face, collapses on the lawn of the Parc des Princes after opening his foot too far. Cruel epilogue to a series of penalties unprecedented at this level, the mustachioed rear of SU Agen has just “offered” AS Béziers its eleventh Brennus, the last in its history. At the end of this nightmarish night of May 26, 1984, Philippe Mothe was the first to take it up. The champion in 1982 and winner of Du-Manoir in 1983 had missed the match point a few minutes earlier.
In the first series, after a 1/3 of the Biterrois, the SUA nevertheless believed in its lucky star. Montlaur had failed, not Viviès. From 22 meters to the right, Mothe could therefore seal the fate of the Héraultais. He must have replayed this shot on goal hundreds of times in his head since then. “During overtime, I told coaches René Bénésis and Jean-Michel Mazas that I wanted to go out. When I was taking weights, I was seized by cramps in my calf. »And his ball flew to the left of the target…
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“Even though I knew a new series of three kicks was starting again, I was very frustrated. » A feeling that has not really passed forty years later. Especially since this final should never have been decided on penalties, and even less like this. But with the French XV leaving the next day for a tour of New Zealand, it was impossible to replay it, even though the score was tied at the end of regulation time (12-12) and the stifling overtime (21-21). .
“Fate was a little against us that evening. It’s a big frustration to lose the only final which was decided on penalties in the entire history of French rugby”
The two teams were perfectly equal: 1 converted try, 4 penalties and 1 drop on each side, but also a refused try and a drop on the post on both sides. For the only time in its history, the Brennus was awarded following a penalty shootout. “In the rush, the referee made a mistake about the rules,” assures Philippe Mothe. Instead of shooting from the line of 22 from the front, then from 40 m and 50 m, he shot left and right. » Did this change history?
“A big frustration”
During the ten minutes of hesitation which preceded this penalty shootout, while puffing on his cigarette, his friend in the center Philippe Sella must surely have also ruminated on this tackle by Joguet and this interception by Médina on a restart from the 22. Philippe Mothe still has this melee, 30 meters in front of the posts, across the gorge. “Their third line breaks away, but the referee Jean-Claude Yché does not whistle a penalty. When he had his jubilee, we decided with the SUA players not to go! »
A drop returned by the post, a try refused to Lavigne for a forward on his last pass, and his winning kick missed in the penalty shootout, Philippe Mothe saw destiny working hard against him .
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With his drop returned by a post and his forward on the try refused to Lavigne, Philippe Mothe is convinced: “Fate was a little against us that evening. In this year 1984, we were sure of our strengths and of being able to do the double. It's a big frustration to lose the only final which was decided on penalties in the entire history of French rugby. We inevitably talk about it again when we see ourselves again with former Béziers players because it's a great moment of joy for them and frustration for us. »
A nightmare that almost happened again in 2002. And then Laurent Mazas slammed the title drop for Biarritz Olympique. Is it less cruel than the missed kick by Philippe Mothe?
The 1984 final
Reunion at Raoul-Barrière. Forty years after this famous May 26, 1984 at the Parc des Princes, Biterrois and Agenais will meet this Friday on the sidelines of this 12e Pro D2 day. “They are going to celebrate the forty years of their last title and there will be ten of us going to encourage the SUA,” specifies Philippe Mothe who will reform the pair for the occasion with Philippe Sella. For the record, here are the compositions of the two teams who will surely have a lot to say to each other in the spans:
AS Béziers: Bonhoure – Fabre, Joguet, Fort, Médina – (o) Escande, (m) Vachier – Lacans (cap.), Bagnaud, Cordier – Palmié, Wolff – Martin, Minaro, Vaquerin. Substitutes: Pigeaud, Leipp, Chamayou, Piazza, Martinez, Lles.
YOUR AGENT: Viviès – Bérot, Sella, Mothe, Lavigne – (o) Delage, (m) Llop – Delbreil, Erbani, Gratton – Rivière, Pujade – Dubroca (cap.), Dupont, Tolot. Replacements : Malbet, Bertoni, Capot, Murat, Gleize, Montlaur.
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