Trailing by fourteen points in the first half, Nissa Rugby found the resources to turn the match around at Armandie. The Nice team even took the lead a few minutes from the end before losing to SU Agen (28-24). A frustrating scenario but a defensive bonus point that rewards the Azurean efforts.
A week after the defeat conceded in the derby against Provence Rugby (24-34), Nissa Rugby traveled to Agen with the ambition of validating the progress glimpsed despite insufficient results. Before the trip, hooker Clément Martinez recalled that « it’s still a home defeat and we are all competitors. » For his part, forwards coach Emiliano Bergamaschi insisted on the fundamentals: « The basics never change. The first thing is to have very good set pieces. After that, it’s the challenge in intensity and contact areas. » Before kick-off, SUA occupied 10th place in the standings with two consecutive victories, while the Nice team was looking to move away from the relegation zone. For this Pro D2 match, the Maralpin staff notably retained Jules Martinez, Evan Olmstead, Théo Idjellidaine, Flavio Asquini, Bautista Ezcurra and Inoke Nalaga in their starting XV.
A difficult start for Nissa Rugby
In conditions made very complicated by persistent rain, Agen quickly took control. From the 4th minute, an action launched by the Agen three-quarters allowed Bouyssou to find the try line. Soulan converted to give the locals the advantage.
Nice tried to react but Flavio Asquini hit the post on a penalty in the 13th minute. A few minutes later, the visitors were penalized by the yellow card received by Lucas Bachelier after video review for a dangerous clearance. With numerical superiority, Agen immediately capitalized. After a well-executed maul, Bouyssou scored SUA’s second try, converted once again by Soulan (14-0, 23rd).
Beau Farrance relaunches the Nice team
Without panicking, Nissa Rugby stayed in the match. An Asquini penalty allowed the Nice side to get on the board before a first half finale much more favorable to the Azuréans. On a strong period in the opposition’s 22-meter area, Théo Idjellidaine at the lineout found Argentine center Bautista Ezcurra between the posts. Flavio Asquini added the conversion to bring his team within four points at halftime 14-10.
The return from the dressing room confirmed the Nice team’s mounting pressure. After several close sequences, prop Beau Farrance took advantage of disorganized defense around a ruck to score. Asquini’s conversion gave the visitors the lead for the first time of the evening 14-17.
The Azurean domination then continued. Inoke Nalaga thought he had given more momentum to this comeback after a powerful run concluded behind the line. After video review, the try was however canceled for a forward pass by Théo Idjellidaine at the start of the move.
Long under pressure, Agen managed to regain efficiency thanks to bench replacements. In the 64th minute, Etcheverry concluded a movement out wide before another Soulan conversion 21-17. Nice gave nothing away however. Taking advantage of the yellow card shown to Gayraud, the Nice pack pushed their team forward. On a carried ball, prop Jules Martinez scored behind the line. Full-back Massimo Ortolan took the conversion to convert and Nissa Rugby regained control 21-24.
Indiscipline brings down Nissa Rugby
The final minutes ultimately went in favor of the Agen side. After a yellow card shown to Gonzalez for contact with Soulan’s face, SUA multiplied offensives in the Nice end. Four minutes from the end, Soulan concluded a movement started near the line before successfully converting from a difficult angle at the touch (28-24).
Nissa Rugby came very close to a first away win this season. Despite the disappointment of a defeat conceded in the final moments, the Nice team displayed character after a difficult start and obtained a defensive bonus point that rewards their second-half reaction. Now Nice finds itself on the edge of the relegation zone (14th) before hosting Stade Aurillacois next Friday. Kick-off at 7:30 pm.
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