Failed comeback for US Dax, after a dry defeat by Provence Rugby (16-44)

theHe left US Dax Pro D2 when Provence Rugby found him. Five years have passed since then and Maurice Boyao hasn’t really changed. The Canal+ cameras are back, the crowd, maybe still on vacation, it wasn’t like the last games of the previous season at the National but the smiles and tans were there. The unknown too. Which stirred up a mixed feeling, between excitement and apprehension, from bays to…

theHe left US Dax Pro D2 when Provence Rugby found him. Five years have passed since then and Maurice Boyao hasn’t really changed. The Canal+ cameras are back, the crowd, maybe still on vacation, it wasn’t like the last games of the previous season at the National but the smiles and tans were there. The unknown too. Which elicited a mixed feeling, between excitement and apprehension, from the stretches to the grass. Dacquois, up to date? Friday, August 18th, for his big return to the pro world, the promoted Landes lasted… fifty minutes.

However, the signs were encouraging from the start of the match. At the foot of Salis (2) answered that Segi (10). The first gameplay sequences, sterile though they were, indicated a will despite some malice attributed to the deposition. Placed defensively, Dacquois only gave up once during the first season. Bayonnais Adrien Lapègue, as a result of a poor exit from the Dacquois camp, was a first caution (19).

The red and white pack, in the oven and in the mill for the first half hour, soon showed signs of weakness, a few knees on the floor, a broken arm and a penalty accepted on the scrum… Chances of launching some attacks in the egg were killed. “I have my idea,” Red and White coach Jeff Dubois commented after the game. In the first half we play to play and play without attacking the line. I thought we were more prepared for the volume of play and intentions.”

Upon his return from the locker room, realizing his potential breaking point, Dacquois’ staff made a raft of changes. But the new front line did not have the desired effect, especially in its chosen field. Provence Rugby, for its part, has offered itself a luxurious comeback, in the person of ex-Parisian Arthur Covel, triple European champion Jean-Charles Orioli, or even veteran Jimmy Gopperth. “We knew the first half was going to be difficult,” Aix coach Mauricio Rigiardo told us after 80 minutes, but we built the game at 23. The bench was very strong. »

Hit in a flash

The New Zealander, number 10, has more than 1,700 points scored in the Premier League (English First Division) distributed, as Curtain Landes seemed absent or late. Within 10 minutes, Dacquois’ hopes were dashed, and the gap between the qualification favorite and the newly promoted player widened. Four attempts were scored within ten minutes. 28 points, because you shouldn’t count on a slip-up of former Toulon’s Thomas Sallis. Which leaves the luxury of some proponents thinking out loud, from day one, that Dax “has nothing to do there.”

Damages do happen, they are more excusable during re-entry. That before the hour sign can be attributed to numerical inferiority. Before these 10 minutes of hell, Dax was reduced to 14 after the yellow card of new winger Jope Naseara, for a tackle on the backed shoulder (47). “It’s difficult but we’re also looking for it,” admitted Maxime Delonca to get back into competition. We’re undisciplined. When you start in a competition like that, against this kind of team, you have to play 15 against 15.

After ten minutes of commentary, the Fijian tonic allowed his people to raise their heads a little. His personal feat, after a good offload from Bolakoro is one of the small reasons for satisfaction, as well as the good balls holding the balance of the red and white pack. Jeff Dubois promised: “We’ll build on our state of mind.” Dacquois’ workweek promises to be tough, as are the four remaining Group A matches.

Pilate’s thigh crutch

His early exit from the field could be an endless day for some Dacquois supporters. Alexandre Pilati, scarcely surviving injury and making a comeback after rupturing his Achilles tendon on November 5, 2022, gave up his spot before the break. In a harmless 50-metre kick, Dacquois’ winger was hit, late in the aerial duel, by a Provence Rugby player, before remaining on the ground clutching his thigh. Active After a few minutes of treatment, the Ivorian international, victim of a crutch in the thigh, preferred to give up his place. Protective altruism but more fear than harm.