It was an open secret, just like the maintenance acquired on the evening of the defeat in Toulon (52-26), on April 25. Aviron Bayonnais can mathematically no longer enter the top 6 after its new defeat at home against Bordeaux-Bègles (38-40). It has been a long time since the objective put on the table by the staff and players at the start of the season was…
It was an open secret, just like the maintenance acquired on the evening of the defeat in Toulon (52-26), on April 25. Aviron Bayonnais can mathematically no longer enter the top 6 after its new defeat at home against Bordeaux-Bègles (38-40). It has been a long time since the objective put on the table by the staff and players at the start of the season was postponed. The one targeted by President Philippe Tayeb is still achievable but just as utopian.
To integrate the first eight places, synonymous with participation in the Champions Cup, Rowing must double the world: Lyon, Castres, La Rochelle and Toulon, if we look at the ranking for this Sunday, before the clash between Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais. The RCT is in 8th place, with 55 points, nine more than the Bayonnais. There are fifteen left to take. But with trips to Lyon (April 16) and the Stade Français (May 30), before ending with the reception in Perpignan (June 6), it is difficult to see Rowing refueling and all the competitors collapsing. The goal of this end of the year is elsewhere for manager Gerard Fraser: “The face we show will determine the starting point for next season.” Hooker Lucas Martin is connected: “Everything good we do will be time saved for the future.”
Like Arnaud Erbinartegaray, the third Argentinian line Rodrigo Bruni wrote a double. Emilie Drouinaud / SO
2 The player: Arnaud Erbinartegaray
Despite the defeat, costly indiscipline and especially the last twenty minutes of collapse, the Bayonnais showed their best this Saturday, compared to their previous outings. Several elements were in sight, like Esteban Capilla, Rodrigo Bruni, Herschel Jantjies, Alexandre Fischer or Sireli Maqala. Another confirmed his recent good performances: winger Arnaud Erbinartegaray. The former Barcus and Mauléon player scored a double this Saturday, bringing his total to six tries this season, including four in the last three matches. In 49 minutes, he crossed eleven times and eliminated six defenders. He covered 78 meters before leaving due to cramps. He is the man in good shape of the moment on the Bayonne side, and not just on the visible aspect of the statistics. His ability to defend well is another significant asset, as much as his versatility.
“If he keeps performing like that, I think we’ll have to watch him closely.”
“His profile is very interesting,” appreciates Ged Fraser. We see him on the wing but I like him in 12 or 13 as well. We also know that he was trained in 15, so there is another side of him that we almost never see. The important thing is that Erbi keeps playing matches and training. And if he keeps performing like that, I think we’ll have to watch him closely.” The New Zealand manager responded to a question about his possible presence in the France team for the summer tour, which will see the Blues start the Nations Cup on July 4 in New Zealand, then in Australia on July 11 and in Japan on the 18th.
Sireli Maqala managed a full match, punctuated by a try. Émilie Drouinaud / SO
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