The first home defeat for the purple-and-black team could jeopardize their qualification for the final stages. The match did not deviate from the usual pattern of physical confrontation, and the team from Var proved to be superior in this area of play. Unfortunately, the home team failed to organize an effective game and gradually succumbed to nervousness. A setback demands a swift recovery next weekend in Béziers, the pool leader.
A poorly assembled and even less inspired Nice team, with a playing style limited to a few forward drives, undisciplined, resulting in 3 temporary suspensions, conceding numerous penalties that were fortunately missed by an inaccurate opposing kicker. This is the dismal summary of a Sunday that exposed all the shortcomings of a team that has severely compromised its qualification for the final stage, an imperative goal this season, with this underperformance at home.
The match was controlled by the team from Var, who managed to maintain control of the game and set a slow pace, which suited their powerful and well-organized pack. The Nice team was nervous and drained, weakened by the suspension of three players (only one for the Seyne team), they played evenly during the first half but handed the game and victory to their opponents due to a blackout (from the 10th to the 30th minute) during the second half.
A desperate response in the final minutes allowed them to recover a bonus point, but yet another execution error on the opponent’s try line during a prolonged attack prevented them from closing the score gap or achieving a potential equalizer.
Federal 1 – 1st return day
At the Arboras Stadium: Rugby Nice CA – La Seyne 12-19 (9-9)
Comments from the Nice staff
Manu Boutet: “It’s more than a disappointment. We suffered a big blow to our morale. The team that wanted it more won, and that was La Seyne. With their virtuous qualities and intrinsic capabilities, they were superior to us. We sometimes made grave tactical errors. Our scrum was sometimes deficient. Regularly, players veered off from what we had planned to accomplish individual actions. Yet, we needed to stay together as much as possible to react. I regret this excessive individualism. We lacked the will to proceed together in this match. It’s our first home defeat of the season. Yet, we aimed to remain unbeaten at Arboras. The players are upset. Now, I hope we hit rock bottom to bounce back. Otherwise, we’ll be in trouble for qualifying.”
Will Johnson: “Like last week, it’s impossible to win a match when we make so many mistakes. We lost in aggression. La Seyne was more reactive, more present to win the match. I don’t like our start to the year 2011. Now, I hope we’ve received a good spanking that will motivate us.”
