Monaco champion of France in rugby 7
Monaco won the title of French rugby sevens champion on Saturday by winning the InExtenso SuperSevens final against Pau (24-14). It’s merit for the Rocher team which was the strongest and the most consistent throughout this day of the final, like this third edition of the SuperSevens where Monaco played four finals (on the stages of Pau , La Rochelle and Perpignan then final at La Défense Arena).
Monaco led the race throughout the game. Facing them, the Pau seemed powerless in the first half. Cecil Afrika and his teammates, by far more experienced than their opponents, crunched the slightest opportunity that presented themselves to them and logically at the break, they led 12-0. But after the rest, pushed by their supporter who came in large numbers, the young Pau guard, carried by the promising Thomas Carol, returned to the match with an entry try (12-7, 9th).
Fatigue helping, spaces were created and allowed the attacks to develop (17-14, 12th). And then, in the last minute, Gaspard Lalli came to deliver the coup de grace to allow his team to win this final and become French rugby sevens champion (24-14).
Pau lacked experience
Pau lacked the experience to overthrow Monaco, a team made up of sevens specialists. The Béarnaise team showed great things chosen throughout this Championship and this promises great prospects for the future.
Despite ” pride “ finish “best team in the Top 14”in the words of Geoffrey Lannes-Petit, coach of Section Paloise Seven, ” that’s a shame “, he regretted after the lost final. “It comes down to details”, analyzed Thomas Carol. “On one fact a hell of a final. It’s hard. We lacked realism even if we hung well in defense,” he regretted.
Especially since the Palois were in on it before cracking on a last action. Enough to feed great ambitions for the next editions. “We almost beat Monaco in the final, in the semi-finals they also qualified in the snatch. So I think they are predictable. Once again, it’s all about the details.” a conclusion Carol.
On the Monegasque side, despite the final victory and the key title, the human adventure takes precedence. “As I often say, rugby is 30% of the work, for me it’s 70% of what we do in everyday life, how we create a bond. If I show you my game plan it’s very simple, it’s a sheet with a smile in the middle, it’s the smile”, savored Jérémy Aicardi, coach of Monaco Sevens.