In 2017, when Méla left the club to join and train Albi, it was a heartbreak but also a deliverance. At the time, interviewed by France Bleu Limousinthe one who was coach of Albi indicated to store “so much experience in a role like I have today, that I could never have had even if I had led the CAB Espoirs and done some freelancing with the first team. I would never have asked myself so many questions about rugby.” These questions, it seems to have found answers there, because Arnaud Méla has extended his adventure with Brive as a sideline coach until 2023.
“I am very happy and very proud” reacted the former Brive second line. “Now what matters most is that CAB wins.” For this, Arnaud Méla can capitalize on a defensive system that he has put in place since the start of the season, at Bugeat, during the preparation camp. “I have players who have adhered to my way of doing things and my speech and that’s what pays off on the pitch. You can have the best way in the world, if the players don’t want to do it, they won’t. They are the ones on the field!”
Work in the offensive keys again
These players have been well aware of their shortcomings in this sector. So much so that Mathieu Voisin admits not having worked the key like that. “We find ourselves collectively and individually in this system. We take pleasure in making touches” completes the vice-captain of the CAB. A system that has allowed Brivists to win matches or achieve great performances. _”The fact of countering balls in defense, it can put doubt in a team. We have accentuated this point this year”._Result: in Toulon, the Brivistes are in the game. Same in Toulouse.
Arnaud Méla nevertheless admits that the fingerboard, his domain, still needs to be perfected. _“_On the offensive touch, we can still progress because we have too much waste. It’s the little details that make you lose balls. We can also work on the defensive touch, it’s concentration” believes the former second line and jumper in touch.
As to to relations in the staff, the former captain finds them “good”. By adding: _”If I don’t feel well, I can put myself in an unpleasant mode. But there, that’s fine, I enjoy myself.”_ Let’s bet that Arnaud Méla enjoys another year, while the recruitment of the CA Brive, still in progress, risks upsetting the profiles in the third line in particular.