Nice-Premium: The RNCA has just lost in Aix en Provence. It is the fourth defeat in four Fédérale1 matches. The score is heavy (46-13) but the team from Nice was leading in the second half. What lessons do you draw from this defeat?
Julien Schramm: Well, it looks difficult for us and we must already place ourselves in a mindset of staying up. There’s no surprise here, we knew the difficulty of our group. Let’s say we hoped for better, at least one victory at home (against Aubenas) and defensive bonus points (at La Seyne and Rumilly). I remain convinced of the quality of our squad but with 13 injured players, our bench has been severely impacted. This made a big difference in Aix on Sunday. It’s a shame because as you pointed out, we were leading 13-11 in the second half and we could have been leading 19-11 if not for two relatively easy missed penalty goals by Rudi Dames at the end of the first half and Thibaut Dejardin in the second half. I think the course of the match would have been quite different. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the quality of the performance from our pack of forwards, where Dauchy, Du Courtieux, Herrera, and Moxham were very strong. The score is heavy; it doesn’t reflect the pattern of the match at all. Other players, younger ones, must become aware of the level at which they are playing. Every detail counts, the slightest negligence can cost a try. As it happened against Aix: 3 tries conceded between the 75th and 80th minute, that’s 21 points in 5 minutes, it hurts and we must no longer accept it.
NP: The first three defeats are by the smallest margins. What was missing for RNCA to clinch a victory?
JS: Scoring when opportunities arise. Our current goal-kicking percentage is too low to hope to win matches where teams are so closely matched. Our kickers need to step up at this level, especially since they have all the qualities to do so. We know what Rudi brought us at this level last season; there’s no reason he can’t find his way between the posts with a 90% success rate. We’re also missing a bit of cohesion since the team was significantly renewed during the off-season, and our opponents, without offering much, show higher collective experience than ours. Hence our frustration, because sometimes we feel like we’re playing rugby better than the opponent, but without the necessary efficiency.
NP: The championship is taking a fifteen-day break. On November 18, the reception of Romans is set to be decisive. How is the club approaching these 15 days and what needs to change to secure the first victory of the season?
JS: The reception of Romans must genuinely kickstart our season. It’s an opportunity to show what this Nice team is truly worth. There’s only one objective for this match: victory and the offensive bonus point. I know the players are affected by this start to the championship; they feel it’s an injustice. So, it’s up to them to prove their worth and make a big statement. The club needs it. I read in Midi Olympique on Monday a comment drawing a parallel with Marseille’s path last season… It touches me because I hope our project has nothing to do with that of the Phoceans. Rugby in Nice has a strong history, there are players in our team who have been trained here, we are not into financial overbidding…
NP: Finally, what would you like to say to the Nice supporters disappointed by this start to the championship?
JS: To believe in it. There is no great sporting adventure without pain, without difficulties to overcome. It is through trials that teams are built. I like to quote the Argentinians, who before succeeding in the Rugby World Cup, went through all sorts of hardships in recent years. I have complete confidence in Christophe Moni. He is the man needed for Nice rugby. The work he is doing with Manu Boutet, the assistant coach, and Nicolas Szezur, the physical trainer, is very good. I am convinced it will pay off. We will still be in Fédérale 1 at the end of the season.
