By receiving the Oyonnaxian leader dominating this Pro D2, the Agenais will pass a great test. To win and consolidate their place at the top of the table, they will have to play an important match.
After Vannes three weeks ago, Armandie will experience a new shock at the top of the Pro D2 leaderboard. More exciting. Oyonnax reigns supreme on this Pro D2, it seems to be programmed for the ascent into the Top 14. The challenge is tough for a SU Agen “who will test himself”.
The Oyomens didn’t miss this trip. The leader will want to come and hit his runner-up hard. And establish a little more control over the league. That is the challenge for Raphaël Lagarde’s teammates, who were left very poor in Angoulême two weeks ago. Will Agen be able to take up the challenge? That’s the whole question.
“We have been looking for the perfect match since the beginning of the season. Even if the match in Mont-de-Marsan has many positive points, it is not convincing in terms of the game produced. To win against a big Oyonnax team, it will be necessary for everyone the traffic lights are green, it will be a good test to know where we are”. Bernard Goutta knows, it will take a very large SUA to pass the Haut-Bugistes.
Commitment and efficiency, the keys to the match
Starting with commitment, a sine qua non condition for existing on the ground. “It would be unimaginable to play the match in Angoulême again,” blows hooker Clément Martinez. “We made a bad second block, which caused a lot of frustration. We were impatient to get back on the pitch to show another face.”
In this gala meeting, with the perfumes of the final phases, the Agenais will be served. “I feel that the beautiful fear, which makes you want to play an important match, transcends you”, slips the coach. Furthermore, Sporting does not want to play the outsider with the restrictive strategy. “We are at home, we are not afraid to play”, launches the prostitute. “Above all we will have to better control our brand areas. Because in the last two outings we have not been effective”, Goutta points out.
In fact, if Agen can handle the shock throughout the match against Oyonnax, the decision will be made on the details. And these famous balls near the lines will be worth gold, as will the ability to stay disciplined. “It’s the hallmark of great teams, continues Bernard Goutta. Look at Toulouse, it’s what saves them even when they’re on a normal day.”
Tonight, at 10.45 pm, we will know which field SUA is playing on. That of the very first in the standings, capable of beating all the Pro D2 teams. Or a team that will have to fight to the end to hope to finish in the six in May. “First or sixth, we want to qualify. And that goes through home control. In this sense, the leader’s reception is exciting,” sums up Tevita Railevu. With three receptions, Agen counts on twelve points in this last block of the first leg to spend the holidays in the heat.
Tonight’s five-star rating will therefore be decisive from more than one point of view. The perfect opportunity, after ten games, to go all out? Clément Martinez has another opinion. “We want to win. Even 3-0 is fine with me!”
AGENT : Lamoulie; Etcheverry, Ramoka, Sloan, Beard; (o) Lagarde (cap), (m) Bellot ; Duputs, Lokotui, Urban; Olmstead, Maximew; Hamadache, Martinez, Screenplay. Rempl. : Zarantonello, Barrington, Demotte, Devergie, Idjellidaine, Dayral, Tolot, Burin.
Referee: Evan Urruzmendi.
OYONNAX : Sweetnam; Ravouvou, Vialelle, Millet, Callandret; (o) Soulan, (m) Cassang; Crefdoz, Grice, Lebreton; Battye, Murday; Laclayat, Geledan, Raynaud (cap). noun : Durand, Bordenave, Fabregue, Taofifenua, El Khattabi, Bouraux, Treilles, Berthaud.
