To complete the Green and White season, France Bleu Béarn Bigorre and Sud Ouest Pau, after designating the “Green Winner” following each match, have chosen a typical XV of the Pau season. Both based on statistical facts but also on obviously subjective feelings, the selection forms a playful team and turned towards the offensive.
1. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (20 m., 15 starts)
Despite a slightly lower yield than last season, “Ziggy” remains the indisputable number 1 of the number 1. As proof: after a convincing start to the season, the Pau scrum faltered just when it was deprived of Fisi’ihoi. The Tongan international is also distinguished by appreciable scratching qualities (12 balls recovered).
2. Lucas Rey (24 m., 16 tit.)
Not flamboyant but more and more constant. With Lucas Rey, the Section knows how to count on a reliable, regular hooker who has never been injured, and whose qualities as a pitcher make it possible to establish the Pau offensive keys. A little more dynamic in the game, often first in axial support, Rey also asserts himself in his role as captain.
3. Nicolas Corato (25 m., 15 tit.)
To make people forget Lourens Adriaanse, Nicolas Corato had a lot to do. He only partially succeeded, even if he was in almost all the battles, except for his suspension served in Toulon. The Gersois rather met expectations, and helped make the Pau scrum one of the most effective in the first two thirds of the championship.
4. Steven Cummins (19 m., 12 tit.)
Not spared by physical glitches, especially during the end of the season when he was sorely missed in the Bearn line-up, the Australian has perfectly assumed his status as line leader. All the more valuable as Ducat’s early injury and Whitelock’s repeated unavailability drastically limited the options.
5. Lekima Tagitagivalu (18 m., 15 tit.)
Quick to play firefighters on duty, the third line of training has, for the most part, evolved a notch higher. And this because of the shortage of second line having hit the Section. Very comfortable in his new role, Tagitagivalu surprised with his power, his impact and his propensity to mark his opponent. Perfect in scrum and in the use of the ballthe Fijian has the potential to become one of the locker room executives.
6. Beka Gorgadze (21 m., 17 tit.)
This is THE good surprise of the Section’s season. Tireless tackler (24 tackles against Racing in particular, best offensive tackler in the championship), puncher in the current game, the Georgian has forged a reputation as a game and locker room leader in his first season in the Section jersey. As proof, he was even captain in Toulon, and embodies better than anyone the project led by Sébastien Piqueronies.
7. Reece Hewat (17 m., 9 tit.)
In balance with Martin Puech, the Australian was preferred to him because of his vertiginous progression curve (5 match sheets on the first leg, 12 afterwards). In a more mobile and sober register than his competitors in the post, the ex-Aurillacois has established himself as a complementary alternative to the rest of the Pau third line. Not to spoil anything, the player with the status of Jiff has added appreciable finisher qualities (2 tries).
8. Jordan Joseph (16 m., 14 starts)
Arrived in October from Racing to digitally compensate for Ducat’s injury, the Francilien quickly melted into the mold. To his credit: a remarkable propensity to carry the ball (27 defenders beaten) and to finish the shots (6 tries). Given his qualities, the staff expects better from him defensively.
9. Clovis Le Bail (25 m., 16 tit.)
Clovis Le Bail has matured. And it is in its more balanced management that we notice it. Still as dynamic and more altruistic, at the expense of its own line of stats (8 attempts last season, 4 this year), the Nantais confirmed the ascendancy over Daubagna last season. His defensive slaughter remains very perfectible (51.4% of successful tackles).
10. Antoine Hastoy (23 m., 20 tit.)
The “Monsieur plus” of the Section Paloise has taken another step. And in Béarn, we already regret it. Second best director in the championship (250 pts, one unit behind Berdeu), the BAL nugget is also the Section’s best try scorer (8). And if there was only that! His edge, his brilliant inspirations, the quality of his kicking game and his ability to slip from the position of n°10 to that of n°15 make Hastoy one of the best openers in France. And we understand why.
11. Aminiasi Tuimaba (17 m., 17 tit.)
Perhaps less spectacular than last year, but just as influential. Third most used player by Piqueronies, the Fijian Olympic champion is Pau to have gained the most ground (almost 1 km!), and to have beaten the most defenders (52). Less approximate in its placement and more reassuring defensively, “Mini” confirms its status as an X factor in the Béarnaise attack line.
12. Nathan Decron (13 m., 12 tit.)
Halted in his progress by a herniated disc in January, Nathan Decron had just about everything to achieve a great season (12 starts in 15 days before his injury). Complete player, effective defender, sharp attacker, the ex-Agenais quickly established himself as the basic man of the Section system. The center was in balance with Vatubua, who took over brilliantly, after the operation on the back of his teammate.
13. Tumua Manu (23 m., 21 tit.)
Throughout the season, the Tongan has forged a status as leader of the Pau three-quarter line. The most tenured player, he sows doubt and inspires fear in opposing defenses. Best Béarn franchisor (11), he also stands out for his ability to gain ground (681 m), his one against one (39 defenders beaten), and even to scrape balls (10)! Manu is fierce. Sometimes maybe too much! His defensive commitment is affected (1 red, 2 yellow, 76% of successful tackles only)…
14. Eliott Roudil (16 m., 9 tit.)
Versatile and complete, the former Rochelais is the least used player of our XV type. However, his end of the season pleads in his favor. His offensive qualities and his defensive guarantees allow him to stay one step ahead of his competitors as a winger (Barrett, Pinto, Ikpefan).
15. Matthias Colombet (16 m., 13 tit.)
Winning return for Aturin. Author of a remarkable first part of the season, the full-back/winger showed great confidence in aerial play. The specialist in the game at 7, has also distinguished his qualities as a raiser, and has several times saved the buttocks of the Section in the position of last defender.
Georges Lannessans and Damien Gozioso