Ultimately, it will be the feet that make the difference on this Sunday of rugby in Var, as is often the case. 5 penalties and a drop goal for La Seyne from over fifty meters against two penalties for Nice, the math is quickly done and twelve points thus mark the difference between two teams that could not manage to carry the ball over the opponent’s try line. The people of Nice suffered at the end of the match against solid Var players. An interesting performance from the Nice defense which, like French rugby, focuses on impermeability before hosting, next Sunday at the Arboras stadium, a team from Aubenas who are coming off their first home victory against Rumilly (19-9).
The season hasn’t started so badly for Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur, which begins its learning process with a defeat, but some defeats hurt a little less and often one learns from them to go further in the next match. The mission seemed impossible, and it was partially accomplished by a Nice XV that will need to be pushed over the opponent’s try line on the next match day in their Var bord sanctuary.
The Federal 1 test has passed, now it remains for Moni’s men to convert it at home!
Note the victory of the Nice B team against La Seyne by a score of 17 to 22.
La Seyne – Nice: 18 – 6 (half-time 9-3)
Referee: Mr. Schutz – 1400 spectators
Penalties for La Seyne: Decarre (12′, 23′, 43′, 57′ and 62′)
Drop goal for La Seyne: Decarre (6′)
Penalties for Nice: Dejardin (33′ and 50′)
Interview with Julien Schramm
Nice Premium: What is your feeling after this narrow defeat in Var territory?
Julien Schramm: The disappointment of not bringing back a victory that was possible. Honestly, we deserved better. The players stepped up, they were the ones who made the game. Just before halftime, when we played the entire first half against the wind, we missed a sure try on a great comeback by Julien Roman that would have put us ahead 10-9. Unfortunately, Thomas Mège made a forward pass when he only had 20 meters to run to ground the ball between the posts. That was the turning point. We went into the break trailing 9-3, and La Seyne showed their experience in the second half, especially with the entry of fresh and effective players at the front. We missed two fairly easy penalty kicks, we missed another try we should have scored late in the match, and we didn’t even bring back the defensive bonus point, it’s frustrating. And at the same time, it’s encouraging because we proved against one of the heavyweights in our group that we belong at this level. I can tell you the Seynois were not comfortable at halftime and were wondering how they were going to get out of it.
NP: What can be taken from this match besides the result?
JS: The generally good behavior of the team. The feeling that we will exist in this Federal 1 championship because our room for improvement is very significant.
NP: A game without a yellow card, a great victory for a match between Azuréens and Var players?
JS: A match without a card is not a victory, it’s the norm today. Rugby has evolved. At the same time, the referees sometimes turned a blind eye to the actions of some Seynois players who deserved the card. But overall, it went very well, and the match was played in a good spirit with a great crowd. Many people came to congratulate us after the match. That’s something. But it’s not enough for us. Our players are ambitious, they play to win.
NP: Next Sunday, the first home game against Aubenas who just beat Rumilly (19-9). What will you do this week?
JS: A completely normal training week. The players have been working very hard since August 21, they don’t need to add more. Recovery on Monday for those who played and a big physical session for those who didn’t, such as Rudi Dames who arrived last Thursday or our new winger Youssouf Dramé. Training then resumes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday… We will prepare as we should because Aubenas is another big piece of our group, and we do not want to miss our debut at Arboras.
NP: How is this first meeting at Arboras being prepared?
JS: We mainly hope that the public will show up. We need them. I think there is anticipation for rugby in Nice, not only due to the World Cup, but because the people of Nice really want to see a great team here.
