The maritime colossi finally got the better of the will-o’-the-wisps in Ile-de-France. There was little doubt as to the contrast in style that this Franco-French shock promised to offer between Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais in the semi-final of the Champions Cup, Sunday May 15, in Lens. It remained to be seen which of the two clubs would take over and advance towards an electric final against the Irish of Leinster. After a bitter and disjointed match, marked by the clumsiness of La Rochelle and the indiscipline of Ciel et Blanc temporarily reduced to 13, La Rochelle finally won (20-13).
The points dropped at the foot (11 points) by Ihaia West, once again not on his plate in a big meeting, could have weighed heavily in the balance, but his sidekick Nolann Le Garrec cracked against the poles in the second half. Thanks to this success, the men of Ronan O’Gara will live, on May 28 in Marseille, their second consecutive final in this competition.
We had almost forgotten that the Rochelais were able to “win lousy”. If they managed to hold the ball in accordance with their standards (60% possession), it had been a while since we had seen them so unsuccessfully. Clumsy in transmissions, long lacking solutions against a well-spread Ile-de-France defense across the width of the field, the Maritimes wasted a number of chances by haste (foot pass directly into touch, unscrewed clearance, isolated recovery).
But as usual, the Rochelais were able to rely on their all-risk insurance: this pack of powerful forwards, capable of wearing down their bodies and forcing the decision after a fierce fight. The two Rochelais tries signed by third line Grégory Alldritt (40th + 2, 10-8) and opener Ihaia West (80th, 20-13) were planted after a dominating scrum and a precise pounding sequence from the front – guard of the Yellow and Black.
Despite waste in conquest, the work of wear ended up reaching Ile-de-France residents forced to make mistakes. If Teddy Thomas’ teammates were present in this duel of forwards and this time did not miss their start to the match (penalty from Le Garrec, then converted try from Vakatawa, 10-0, 26th), they conceded 19 penalties and collected two yellow cards in less than two minutes (Chat 52nd, Gomes Sa 53rd). Far too many to hope to win: in general, the teams try not to exceed ten penalties per game.
“The disappointment is huge. We were too undisciplined, we had more chances than them. We’ve lost two or three times in the finals, it sucks. We have a lot of regrets.”
Gaël Fickou, three-quarter center of Racing 92at the microphone of France 2 at the end of the meeting
Faced with an impressive Leinster mastery against Toulouse, the Rochelais will have to show a much more consistent face if they want to win their first European star. They would then fulfill the objective they set themselves at the start of the season.