The times are changing (The Times They Are A-Changin’), as the popular song by Bob Dylan goes, but for Nice rugby, the refrain remains the same.
One disappointment follows another, year after year.
For the 2016/7 season, it was the Lyonnais from Vienne who sent the Niçois back to the drawing board of underperformers.
After a mediocre championship that left them in an uncomfortable position (4th in their group), a victorious playoff saw the Azuréens fall at the first major hurdle (a group-leading team) and… goodbye friends, until next season.
Beaten in the first leg, the Niçois were expected to pull off a feat, but that wasn’t the case.
This resulted in a full-on match between two great teams who both gave their all to win this game.
But the kicker for the white-and-blues, Janisson, punished the visitors with 5 penalties, three in the first half and two in the second part. Their final charge concluded with a try by Musso, converted by Orquera in the 80th minute… it was just for glory.
As usual, we console ourselves by saying that next year will be the one. And yes, you have to believe it.
