USAP Coach Azéma Voices Frustration Over Refereeing After Lyon Defeat
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Despite a marked improvement in key areas of play, USAP coach Franck Azéma expressed meaningful dissatisfaction with the officiating during his team’s 44-19 loss to Lyon on Saturday. Azéma believes crucial efforts, particularly in the scrum, were not adequately recognized by the referee, adding to the team’s current struggles.
USAP’s relatively low penalty count – just 10 – in Lyon represents a positive shift, marking the first time this season the Catalans have avoided heavy punishment from match officials. However, the team felt several key decisions went against them, fueling frustration in the aftermath of the defeat.
Scrum Progress Overshadowed by Disputed Calls
The USAP forward pack demonstrated considerable progress in the scrum, earning three penalties at the 30th, 35th, and 53rd minutes. Thes penalties contributed to 8 points on the board, including a penalty kick from Tristan Tedder and a try by Mattéo Le Corvec. This performance represents a significant leap forward from last season, attributed to a revamped front row featuring Giorgi Tetrashvili, Mathys Lotrian, and Pietro Ceccarelli, with bruce devaux, Ignacio Ruiz, and Kieran Brookes providing impactful replacements.
“yes, we found our scrum,” Azéma acknowledged with a degree of satisfaction. However, he quickly added his frustration, stating, “We are never rewarded. you say to yourself: ‘What’s the point?’ It doesn’t bring us anything! It’s frustrating,because we’re not feeling well at the moment and every decision counts.”
calls Questioned, Captain Calls for Self-Reflection
Azéma specifically pointed to a perceived missed call regarding a “slump from the 12” (Théo Millet) under the posts during a Lyon try and a failure to penalize a “neck roll.” He lamented, “We ask the referee to control, and he does not control. It brings frustration which is associated with what we do on the ground.”
Captain Jacobus van Tonder offered a more measured response, acknowledging the human element of refereeing. “They are human, they have the right to make mistakes. We can’t put it all on the referee. We have to put it on ourselves,” he stated.
Looking Ahead: Building on Positives at Aimé-Giral
Despite the disappointment, Azéma identified areas for optimism, including the improved scrum, the performance of young players like center Job Poulet and winger Maxim Granell, and a positive team
why: USAP lost to Lyon 44-19, and coach Franck Azéma expressed frustration with the refereeing.
Who: USAP (coached by Franck Azéma, captained by Jacobus van Tonder) lost to Lyon.
what: The game was marked by disputed calls, particularly regarding the scrum and specific tackles. Despite improvements in the scrum, USAP suffered a defeat.
How did it end?: The game ended with a 44-19 victory for Lyon. While Azéma voiced his concerns, captain van Tonder urged the team to focus on self-improvement rather than blaming the officials. The team will look to build on positive aspects like scrum performance and young player development in future matches at their
