In Bédarrides on Sunday, it will not be the heat of Vaucluse that will be the most overwhelming for the rugby players from Nice but the pressure. 80 minutes after kickoff, we will know if the season of Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur is a failure. For it to be a success, they will need to chain victories in the knockout matches of the final phase. Cruel regulation. But it has been known since the start of the season. There are two ways to access Federal 1, the next higher level. The first was to finish first in the pool. Missed by the men of President Baldacchino. The spot was taken by Romans. The Dromois were better and especially more consistent. The second possibility is to be among the two best teams in the final phases. For that, one must go as far as possible. That is the goal of the club from the Riviera. Starting with Sunday’s match in Bédarrides against Vienne who finished fifth in pool 3 with 44 points (10 wins, two draws, and 10 losses). Nice finished fourth with 49 points (12 wins, 3 draws, and 7 losses). There will then be four matches to win, four finals, four high-pressure encounters to make the 2006-2007 season one of the most beautiful in a long time for Riviera rugby.
The opponents will be tough and have the same objectives. The duels will be decided by little things: a try, successful kicking, or even the refereeing. On Nice’s way will stand teams like Villeurbanne, Bastia, Romans, or Grasse. Villeurbanne finished first in their pool. Bastia, Romans, and Grasse have beaten RNCA this season.
The Nice club experienced difficulties during the 22 matches in its group, especially away from home. The Riviera players also showed that they were capable of good things, producing a rather complete physical and technical game. They must give their best selves for these final phases.
An important event calls for significant logistics for both players and supporters. The first team bus of RNCAUR will leave Arboras at 8 AM.
Supporters and partners will follow at 9:30 AM, heading to Bédarrides, 257 km from Promenade des Anglais. They will be wearing a collector’s tee-shirt given to each person boarding the bus, featuring the match date, location, poster, emblazoned with RNCAUR, and carrying the slogan on the front saying “We’re not here just to be here!”.
Adding a humorous touch to phrases that have become legendary in rugby locker rooms, and signaling that the club’s goal, its project goes through Bédarrides but should not stop there whatever the result of the match. Likewise, a flag in the club’s colors will be given to every participant of the trip. They are sponsored by one of the club’s most loyal partners, the Park Inn Hotel, managed with charm and sportiness by Mrs. Valzoano.
Upon arrival of the bus, the supporters will enjoy a friendly picnic near the stadium and start reviewing their classics, especially Nissa la Bella.
This trip has the scent of the final phase, and RNCAUR hopes that for the first time a bus can be assembled and set off from Arboras to experience the final stretch of the season.
