Who said that the European Rugby Cup was not interesting this year? Surely not the Brivistes! The CAB players were counting on this European parenthesis to put their heads back in place after two months without a victory in the Top 14 and a 13th place synonymous with a red zone in the championship. This Friday evening, the revamped CAB dominated a young team from Pau (33-25).
A victory for Joris Jurand, elected man of the match, “The mission is successful! This victory is good for the head!”
The Brivistes scored by Japaridze in the 23rd after a penalty and a series of pick and go. Joris Jurand passed behind the goal line after a magnificent kick pass from Abzhandaze. The Brivistes were also rewarded after a conquering maul of a penalty try in the second half.
The meeting: the Brivistes dominated the fundamentals
Touches, scrums, rucks and especially the mauls. Brive dominated all areas of the game this Friday night. “Brive played a very interesting game in the scrum”, recognized Thomas Domingo, one of the Pau coaches who specializes in the scrum. “Overall, the Brivistes were superior everywhere and especially in the impacts because they had more desire.”
“That’s the values of Brive”, pointed out Daniel Brennan. The mainstay author of a big match appreciated “aggressiveness, bet by these teammates throughout the meeting, particularly in the impact zone. For Joris Jurand, elected man of the match, “This victory is good for the head!”
The player in sight: Dylan Lam throws a cold
Arrived as a medical joker at the end of November, Dylan Lam had not yet played the slightest meeting since he had set foot in Corrèze. This Friday evening, the powerful third line caught the eye of many spectators present at the Stadium. He distributed a few well-felt buffers and always advanced with the ball in hand. “He had a very, very good game,” noted coach Jéremy Davidson at the end of the meeting. “Very good in duels and very technical. We will put it back against Edinburgh.”
An XXL performance that does not surprise Joris Jurand: “He’s been working like a dog since he arrived with us. He had ants in his legs before the game and he played a very good game “
The statistic: received 7 out of 7 for Thomas Laranjeira
The Corrèze opener carried his thanks to his shots on goal. He did not tremble against the poles to validate the positive actions of these teammates, in particular the much superior scrum for 60 minutes. “He put us in front of the bulletin board”, notes Joris Jurand. “Thomas gave us confidence and behind we were able to free ourselves to play a little more.”
Regret: No offensive bonus
Even if both coach and players say that the objective was to smile again with a victory, this meeting may leave regrets at the end of the group stage. The Brivistes could have obtained the offensive bonus. “We go twice behind the line without scoring, it’s a shame”, breathes Jeremy Davidson.
“We should have had this bonus”, also notes Joris Jurand, “They were run over in front. I am next to the first action, for me there is trial. On the last maul, we ran over them all the game, we advance, we had already obtained a penalty try and I think that the big ones could deserve a second one.
Next match next Friday, it will be in Scotland against Edinburgh. A big piece, the Scots are currently the leaders of the Celtic league!