Tops
U20 world champion with France, the 19-year-old fly half will remember this evening in front of the La Rochelle public. Coming into play in the 77th minute in place of Antoine Hastoy, the young Maritime had the strength to pass the penalty for the win (18-15 victory for La Rochelle), just before the siren. In an off-center position, his left foot did not shirk and Ronan O’Gara could make a fist. After debuting in the Top 14 last year, Hugo Reus got his team out of a bad situation by giving them a valuable success. There is no doubt that his talent will be of great service to the double European champion during the season.
Number 10 scored all fifteen points for Rowing this evening, only missing a daring drop attempt from 35 meters. Impeccable in the kicking game and valuable in defense, the former Clermontois enhanced the interesting sequences of his training with diabolical precision. His reliability is a significant weapon for the Basques, failing to take the opposing defense from behind through play. Lopez even distinguished himself with several important tackles including one at the end of the game on Teddy Thomas, judged legal by the referee . A copy without a false note.
Among the French internationals returning to the Yellow and Black XV (Jonathan Danty, Paul Boudehent, Uini Atonio, Pierre Bourgarit), the flyhalf delivered the best performance, enhanced by his fifteen points against the poles. Even if he ends the game with two failures, without impact on the final result, the native of Bayonne did not miss his meeting. Messy offensively, Stade Rochelais got very close to the opposing goal through combined play. Except for two paws signed by Hastoy for Thomas, who didn’t miss much to conclude his partner’s inspirations.
Flops
Unlike Hastoy, the French center had a very difficult return to the pitches of the Top 14. Lacking sticks, the former Stade Français player made no difference with ball in hand and distinguished himself with risky choice. Like a surprising kick which went directly into touch on a La Rochelle possession in the Bayonne camp. Danty will have the opportunity next weekend, during the reception of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, to forget this delay in lighting.
Three matches away from home, three defeats for Rowing. Despite a conquering face in the first half and a solid defense, the Ciel et Blanc suffered again away from home and left with the consolation of the defensive bonus. Grégory Patat’s men will undoubtedly regret their indiscipline at the end of the match while La Rochelle seemed takeable this evening in its lair of Deflandre.
Quentin Lespiaucq, who was injured before the break, and Pierre Bourgarit will have things to work on in training with their jumpers. With four lost throws, La Rochelle and its hookers showed problematic waste in this sector of play, already pointed out by O’Gara this week. These losses of ball prevented the locals from having continuity in their attacks. Finally, the Yellow and Black came out on the edge but remained crumbly, particularly on the touchline.