In the middle of the second half, the scoreboard had already largely swung in favor of the Nice team, but Rudi Dames was still upset with himself. The South African from Nice had just made his first and only mistake of the match. From his own forty meters, he chose to kick a too-long ball downfield instead of using a numerical advantage on a blindside play. His New Zeaman teammate, Dean Moxham, encouraged and reassured him. The small crowd at Arboras and the staff of Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur could reassure him too; he was outstanding. Usually a fly-half, he had been placed at scrum-half and switched positions with Jauffrey Marras. This switch could perhaps be the secret weapon for the Nice rugby players in the knockout phases. Without meaning to offend Jauffrey Marras, and previously Eric Delage who also played as scrum-half, Rudi Dames displayed much more technique and game vision. His passes were perfectly timed. He perfectly alternated between kicking and passing plays, and even perfected mixing plays with the forwards and the backs. Rudi Dames always stayed close to the ball, enabling quick releases.
The Sorgua team had a hard time containing the Azurean attacks, which continued from the first to the last minute. The Vaucluse team, missing many players and having defaulted at the curtain-raiser with the reserve teams, fielded a mixed team with many young players. They tried to resist but, just like Rudi Dames, the RNCA was determined, keen to redeem themselves from the home game slip-up two weeks ago against Draguignan. For the final home match, the team coached by Philippe Buchet and Marc Pujolle scored eleven tries. Laurent Buchet, the fullback, like Dames, was decisive. He intervened, showing his speed and making an impact each time. He scored three tries behind the try-line and was instrumental in Dean Moxham’s try. The hooker Khalouchi also displayed his full power. The Nice lineup dominated the line-outs.
For their last pool match, Nice will travel to Bastia. They need to win and hope for a slip-up by Grasse at home against Châtorange. The stakes are securing the second spot in Pool 4 in order to skip a round in the knockout phase. Another psychological goal: to gain confidence as they head into the final stretch of the championship with matches that will hinge on mental strength and minor details. At this level of competition, all teams will be determined, ready to sacrifice on the field for a chance to move up to the next tier.
