But even without several key players…
However, even without some key players, Pau is sticking with it. Faced with a vindictive and pressing Maritimes, the Green and Whites made changes. Regardless, like Calles and Simmonds, damaged but magnificent in their commitment, the Department held the bar.
“In the first period we played 20 minutes with 14 players and we spent between 5 and 10 fighting in front of our line against the bus opposite. We didn’t escape, they only got three points, Romain Ruffenach is overjoyed.
It was the Ward opposite, a state of mind, guys who wanted to eat for each other, ready to kill for a fellow neighbor.”
You want to dig in
From now on, the Béarnai would rather die standing than live on their knees. A velvet revolution that takes place with great enthusiasm and ideas. “The players have confidence in themselves, they work hard and they start wanting to be rewarded. That’s exciting. But that’s nothing new,” says Sébastien Piqueronies.
We could even say that it is repetitive. In the last ten Top 14 matches, including six on the road, Pau won five, including one with an offensive bonus. And collected three defensive bonuses during his five losses.
As in Bordeaux (10-20 win) or Montpellier (22-17 loss), the Section in La Rochelle mostly upset the opponent with defense, with more than 90% success rate in skirmishes.
The fruit of constant engagement served by intense deliberation to block the big carriers from La Rochelle. “We also have the right to push them. It is partly in the head. If we want to do some damage, every time the two of us jump on the guy in front…” explains Ruffenach. Building ramparts is good. It’s better with mature men. They crumble less over time.
Anyway, as long as you take care of them. On Saturday, in a ground game in which beautiful flights could be counted on the fingers of one hand, Palois had to wait for the last five minutes to finally make him happy.
Identified gaps
First because they had little possession in the first period, between major indiscipline with two yellow cards, bad trips, a (very) scramble in the west (5 penalties allowed) and two missed penalties, and then Simmonds was treated instead of going to the sidelines lines.
Then because they didn’t really know what to do with him when they had him, constantly under pressure on the ground or in contact. “They’re very good at slowing balls down and on the edge of the rules all the time,” explains Nathan Decron.
Despite these pitfalls, Béarnais patiently wove his web, without any panic. Simmonds persuaded and Gailleton harangued. And despite the difficulties, the green and white team stuck to their plan, which is a sign of maturity.
“We wanted to set a big rhythm in order to finish physically better than them. That happened. But we missed too many rounds in our launches in the first 70 minutes to do better, admits Sébastien Piqueronies. I am very proud of the progress of the Section game. Now, it’s not enough to beat the leader from the Top 14.”
Frustrated, frustrated, motivated
But flamboyant enough to sway him thanks to two actions that combine boldness and strength. “At 25-9 (72nd), we could have resigned, given up, given an attacking bonus to the Rochelais. But no, we fought to the end not to give up anything and we snatched a defensive bonus from Deflandre (25-23 in the 81st minute).
I’m proud,” says Sébastien Piqueronies. Béarnais’ manager can be because since UBB in November no team has achieved such a feat in an inhospitable den. “It’s good to tickle the double European champions.
But that’s what we’re aiming for. If we want to play in the top 6 , we have to know how to beat these big teams,” says Nathan Decron.
“Not everyone will take a point here, that’s for sure. But we are frustrated because we want more. We are greedy, we are hungry. We are winning, this desire to ask for more, assures Ruffenach.
We will be chewed up these few days. But we will come back against Racing.” To go higher, mature men must rise.