TOPS
He surely scored the try of the year to seal Top 14: Stade Français won the derby against Racing thanks to a great Dakuwaqa. The Fijian first scored a ready-made first try at the end of the line. A simple appetizer. Supersonic, he came very close to a double on a solo counter-attack but had to bow to the return of Kemenczak (33′). More discreet in the second half, he only needed one ball to dazzle everyone. A restart from his goal after a play at the foot of Kockott. Like the commentator on Canal, we then ask ourselves: “but what is he doing”. A little kicking game over the Racing defense in his own 22 meters before using his speed to score his second try in the Racing goal. In just 20 seconds, he will have left his mark on the 2023/2024 season.
At 37, the former Castres scrum-half continues to do the job. And he does it quite well. This evening again, he dictated the pace of play of his team, particularly during the unchallenged domination of the Parisians in the first period. Valuable, he was also valuable through his always fair footwork and his alternation (14 footwork) to compensate for the aggressive build-ups of the Racing defense. Suitable for tackling (6/6), it is essential at Stade Français.
For a first, Max Spring would certainly have preferred another fate to the meeting. But in this unusual position of scrum half, he was not unworthy. Weaned from the ball like his young teammate at the opening in the first half, they were able to express themselves after the break. Spring did not hide in defense (8/9 in tackling) and tried to dynamite Racing’s game while Méliande was at the origin of the Ile-de-France residents’ only try with a nice cross on the foot and stood out by a good scratch (62′)
FLOPS
They only played 40 minutes. Already not in the best form in recent weeks, the Racingmen displayed a worrying level of play during the first act. Penalized too many times (7 penalties in 40 minutes) and totally dominated, Racing experienced a nightmarish first half with only 25% possession. Also challenged on the sidelines by one of the best alignments in the Top 14, Stuart Lancaster’s players took 40 minutes to get into their match and were already 14 points behind at the break.
4 consecutive defeats, an average of 14 points scored for 31 points conceded and a discipline with absent subscribers, the ills of Racing since the start of 2024 are numerous and it does not seem to be getting better. Now 6th, 10 points behind its evening opponent, still deprived of its internationals for a month and with a schedule far from favorable (trip to Bordeaux, reception of Toulon and trip to Castres), Racing is experiencing its first crisis of the season. If the trend continues, March could be a real nightmare.
