It’s a victory that feels good. After two defeats in the league – and one in the Challenge Cup – Stade Français resumed its march forward this Saturday in Brive (22-27). But before going for a crucial victory, the men of Gonzalo Quesada were however badly embarked.
Led 14-0 in less than 20 minutes, after converted tries from Lucas Paulos and former Parisian Nicolas Sanchez, the Stadistes were initially too undisciplined, too little concentrated. So to rebalance the debates, the Parisians bet on the Sekou Macalou rocket, whose speed hurt the Corrèze defense very badly. First in the 24th minute of play, when the third line went faster than everyone else to flatten at the end of the in-goal, after a kick to follow from Arthur Coville (14-7). Then in the 33rd, when he dropped the opposing defense, still receiving a kick from his scrum half, to offer Peniasi Dakuwaga the equalizer test (14-14).
Despite the fright at the start of the match, Stade Français was determined to justify its third place in the standings behind Toulouse and La Rochelle. Upon returning from the locker room, the Soldats Roses did not wait to find the fault again. The opportunity for Peniasi Dakuwaga to sign a double at full speed after dodging a tackle, and to give the advantage to his team for the first time in the match (14-21).
The Parisians held
To return to success, the Parisians had to fight in defense. They often bent during the Brive high point on the hour mark, but did not break. The first storm passed, the Stadistes were able to regain control of their match, to hold a success synonymous with a breath of fresh air in the race for the top 6 synonymous with the final phase.
“The second half is about discipline,” warned Arthur Coville at the break, at the microphone of Canal +. A call heard by his teammates, more rigorous and more concentrated. Impermeable to the siren, the Stadistes finally cracked at the very end of the match on a test by Mathis Ferté, without consequence.
For the Parisians, this is a more than important victory in the standings. A success that allows them to keep four points ahead of their Ile-de-France rivals Racing 92 and six over the seventh, Bordeaux-Bègles. A small mattress that will not be too much when there are four regular season games left.