Racing 92 Secures Crucial Victory in Auxerre
Racing 92 breathed a collective sigh of relief after securing a pivotal victory against their closest pursuers, Pau, in the 25th day of the Top 14 season. Racing 92's win (24-15) in Auxerre allows the Ile-de-France team to maintain their spot in the top 6, essential for play-off qualification. "I reminded the players that there was a lot of pressure to qualify," said Racing manager Stuart Lancaster post-match. Despite some inconsistencies, Lancaster emphasized the excellent state of mind shown by the team, an element crucial for their upcoming match against La Rochelle.
Team captain Henry Chavancy added, "We continued to work together and are united behind the staff. It's nice to see everyone smiling after the match. It's a good time to step up, and I hope this is just the beginning." Prop Hassane Kolingar echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the team approached the game with a final phase mindset due to the high stakes involved. Lancaster emphasized the importance of peaking at the end of the season, something they aimed to achieve.
Consistent Performance and Areas for Improvement
Racing 92 demonstrated control in their first period, thanks to tries by Josua Tuivosa, Camille Chat, and Jordan Joseph. Despite their clear physical dominance, the team faced a wake-up call from Pau during the second half, notably through Axel Despers’ try. Stuart Lancaster pointed out that modifications in rucks and ground game were significant factors in their first-half success, but acknowledged that the team lacked precision and discipline later on.
Henry Chavancy noted, "We had two faces in this meeting. We need to keep the defensive state of mind from the first half and carry it forward." As Racing 92 prepares to face La Rochelle, the team acknowledges both the progress made and the areas that need work. According to Kolingar, "We are not completely satisfied and need to confirm our performance against La Rochelle." The win against Pau, however, positions Racing 92 favorably as they approach the season's decisive final stretch.
The match was also notable for being held at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in Auxerre, rather than their usual home ground, Paris La Défense Arena, which is under construction in preparation for the Olympic Games. Despite the relocation, Racing 92 managed to leverage their physical ascendancy and defensive resilience to secure this crucial win.
- The Racing 92 team, facing a critical match against Pau, showcased their international talents like Gaël Fickou, Nolann Le Garrec, Cameron Woki, Siya Kolisi, and Josua Tuisova. Their lineup strength was on full display as they outmaneuvered Pau, despite missing out on a bonus point.
- Racing 92, having endured three consecutive defeats before this game, showed a marked improvement. The match's stakes were high; a loss would have relegated Racing 92 out of the top six, practically ending their season. The win not only stops their losing streak but also allows them to approach La Rochelle with regained confidence.
