Nice will not host the semi-finals of the Top 14 in 2015, which have been assigned to Bordeaux and will be played in the new stadium on June 5th and 6th next year.
While a duel between Nice and Marseille was expected, the LNR pulled a surprise out of its hat. With a capacity of 42,098 spectators, the new Bordeaux stadium is set to be inaugurated on May 23rd, 2015.
The semi-finals of the TOP 14 make their return to one of the historical cradles of rugby,” highlighted the president of the LNR, Paul Goze. The semi-finals of the Top 14 were held in Lille in 2014 and in Nantes in 2013.
The disappointment for this missed candidacy matches the level of expectation, and it’s truly unfortunate that the stakeholder of the Allianz Riviera and the Nice municipality are not rewarded for their considerable efforts in terms of financial offers and commitment.
Moreover, this event would have revived the popularity of rugby in the region, especially as, with the support of the Allianz insurer and the municipality, rugby aims to regain its former glory from the 1980s.
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, even renamed his city “land of rugby,” likely causing some discontent among rugby purists.
But his Bordeaux counterpart had the last word. If one wanted to interpret it politically, it could be said that the candidate for the 2016 primary has outdone the diligent support of another candidate.
Most likely, however, logistical conditions prevailed in the LNR’s decision: the accessibility to the Nice stadium is frankly insufficient (to use a mild euphemism), and the shuttle system, although numerous, cannot be a long-term solution, as the roads are blocked for well over an hour after each match. The evacuation of the surrounding parking areas is quite a challenge, and the tramway is not expected until at least 2018.
Finally, behind the scenes, it’s well known that these decisions are also influenced by networks, sympathies, and connections: next time, better ambassadors should be chosen.
