The Bordelais did not hold the shock in this Atlantic derby, brewed by incessant waves from La Rochelle until they drank the cup to the dregs and the test of the offensive bonus signed Pierre Boudehent (76th) at the end of a beautiful cavalcade in the crushed Girondine defense. Sixth away success this season for the Maritimes. The UBB lost for the second time… In front of 42,115 spectators, this wet evening saw the European champions constantly play their game of exhaustion and the Girondin defenders suffered. Until cracking.
In front of 42,115 spectators, this wet evening saw the European champions constantly play their game of exhaustion and the Girondin defenders suffered. Until cracking.
The opener Ulupano Seuteni had pierced for the first time and scored against his former teammates (14th) but the try was refused (see above). The captain and hooker from La Rochelle Pierre Bourgarit in turn entered the in-goal at the 27th minute, but without success. At the break, stifled, the UBB, reduced to fourteen (yellow card against Sipili Falatea for high tackle, 26th) and heroic in defense turned with a small delay (6-9).
In the second half, the La Rochelle start was thunderous. Behind a dominating scrum, the flanker Levani Botia was quick to blow up the Girondin wall (49th) and score in force at the foot of the posts. Outdistanced (6-16), the UBB did try to fight back but their reaction was insufficient. La Rochelle started again, rewarded with two goals (57th, 60th) signed by his Swiss army knife, Jules Favre, then a try – again in force – by Joël Sclavi (72nd) then the test of the offensive bonus by Pierre Boudehent corner (76th).
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Like the number of cards released by the referee, Mr. Trainini. Two against Bordeaux (Falatea in the 26th, Cobilas in the 54th) and one against La Rochelle (Skelton in the 15th).
The fact: Seuteni penalized by Skelton
While he had pierced the Bordeaux defense with a lot of appetite, the La Rochelle opener Ulupano Seuteni saw his try refused (14th) after video arbitration for a brutality by Will Skelton – who will receive a yellow card – on his vis- opposite Jandre Marais, guilty of anti-game on the ground. It is surprising that the referees did not see fit to sanction Levani Botia’s header on Maxime Lucu behind a ruck (26th).
