After the setbacks against Castres and Stade Français, the SUA is not entitled to a third misstep in Armandie. The future of the staff and the support of the supporters are at stake. Even the future of the club in Top 14.
The Agenais do not want to talk about a death match. Still, it looks like it. One wonders how the AUS could recover from another failure at home, by again giving up points to a competitor announced for maintenance. And leaving the Basques to move away irremediably in the standings, with three victories in advance. We know that in this fierce Top 14, each point is worth gold. So the victories …
But to resume the line of thought that Philippe Sella defended in our columns yesterday, if we reverse the problem, Agen has a very good opportunity tonight to reshuffle the bottom of the table. Last weekend, Brive suffered a big setback at home against Toulouse, Castres and Bayonne sank away. The opportunity is great to knock out the Bayonnais a little more, “who checked the trip to us,” insists Rémi Vaquin. “We can send a signal to the other teams,” Abadie agrees.
Psychological showdown
The “positive attitude” is resolutely displayed on the side of Armandie. The freshness of the match in Montpellier counted. Chisteras, acrobatic passes and smiles are always there. Despite the heavy context, the tension of the supporters and the ax that hangs over the head of the staff. But the team also knew how to toughen up the tone during the opposition. This intensity testifies to what we should see tonight in Armandie.
Although Agen and Bayonne have an identity turned towards the “beautiful game”, there will first be an explanation of text, arm wrestling and permanent pressure from the opponent. This time, the AUS will have to be able to keep up psychologically, by refraining from any relaxation which, since the start of the season, has led to too many penalties and free trials. “Bayonne is not just a player,” underlines Rémi Vaquin. “They ‘jackail’ in all the rucks, have a good conquest.”
To face it, the staff has established many of its experienced players: Farré, Moreaux, Falatéa, etc. Like Jané, preferred to a Railevu not really “secure” under the high balls which risk raining on the rear triangle lot-et-garonnais.
Abadie: “All united and united”
Despite these 80 minutes under high tension, the SUA will not be able to afford to play small arms, as it did against Paris. On the one hand, because the profile of his team does not lend itself to it. Too few ball carriers from Agen manage to advance at impact to be satisfied with a reduction game. On the other hand, because the teammates of Romain Briatte must set out again to conquer the public of Armandia, weaned from victories for more than a year. And we know only too well that the Agen supporter loves nothing more than the game of movement, space taking and initiative. “I hope this context, this type of match will transcend us, excite us. That’s what we worked on. These will be important values for this match.”
“We try not to pay attention to what is said around. We are behind the staff. It is by remaining united and united that we will get by. And a victory can change mentalities …”, concludes Abadie.
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