2024-04-18 14:14:00
If he vows to take responsibility for the “shameful” elimination of La Rochelle in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup last Saturday against Leinster (40-13), Ronan O’Gara also had messages to convey to his players by appearing at a press conference before the match in Castres (Saturday at 15:00, 21st day of the top 14). The Irish manager’s words – “in another world this week,” he says – are strong and stinging.
Ronan, you said on saturday night in dublin: “we digest tonight, we turn the page tomorrow”. Was this timing “respected”?
No not at all ! It is much more difficult today. I’m still digesting it, but it’s getting worse and worse, day by day. I am supported by my deputies, I am completely taken by the defeat. Or rather the way. This falls into the “disgraceful” category. I am very disturbed… It was a dark day for the club and for me. I have to take responsibility for that. When we play like this, we have to ask ourselves the right questions. Which day is it?
THURSDAY…
I made a big mistake watching two quarter-finals, in football… Looking at the state of mind of a French team (Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, ed.) beaten against Barcelona. Last night I saw a fantastic manager: Ancelotti (Real Madrid coach, qualified against Manchester City). When I compare what he did and this away game to what we did… I’m in a tough spot. At the same time, it has been my story for 25 years. I said to the players: ‘You have the right coach to talk about resilience. » When you fall, you have to get back up. It wasn’t us on Saturday. But maybe it was actually us? That’s the question…
You seemed a lot more distant Saturday night, vis-à-vis this defeat…
Because I was able to control my emotions directly. I have to do it with my past in terms of discipline, here (smile). But even live… look at the missed opportunities, it’s not possible at this level. Yes, some players are not safe, but to think that the return of the managers would solve everything… We haven’t changed, that’s a bit of the story this season. It is up to me in the coming days or weeks to show if we can do something this season.
Is it the state of mind displayed that inspires you the most?
No, the state of mind is the club’s greatest weapon. But the mindset works if there is work without the ball, an ability to analyze space and communicate when running, a desire to have the ball, a desire to make decisions and take responsibility… Leinster’s rush defense is a great weapon but we have not tested them. What did we do? We tipped the ball wide just once in 80 minutes… But it’s not the players, it’s me. They play according to my vision of things. So it’s my fault and it weighs heavily on me. I have to look in the mirror and come back stronger.
Do you think your team is too readable, offensively?
Before you can read it, you have to make a decision. What is our game? Who made a decision? You know I love my players, I’m not going to target a player, but who made a decision? [Il se cache un œil] Of course we’re too readable if we play like that! And right now we play like this… [Il se cache les deux yeux]. I say this with great respect for my players. They changed my coaching life. I hope I changed their lives as players. But “stop” now!
What is the real level in La Rochelle?
We do not know ! When you look at the games against Stade Français and Clermont, it was impressive. But against Bayonne, Oyonnax, Perpignan and the first 40 minutes at the Stormers… Now – and that’s very good – we’re not double European champions, it’s over. We are a club that has never won the shield. Maybe it will be super easy to concentrate, but I need a fight to confirm our desire to do something. We have no idea about our level, that’s the truth…
Your captain Grégory Alldritt, stated with you on Saturday night, said: “We still have in mind the failure in the Top 14 final last year (defeat against Toulouse), so the motivation is there” …
Remember, it was the last act that killed us in the finale. This was not the case on Saturday against Leinster, it was completely different. I can accept the defeat without a problem, but not the lack of precision of the decision makers who played in. At 23-13 I’m not sick, the match was within reach. By scoring the next, Leinster would have been in doubt, that’s for sure. Great players and managers cannot miss this opportunity and give the game away two minutes after returning from the dressing room, it is not possible. We didn’t respect the jersey. Maybe I’m alone among a thousand others who think so but that’s my opinion, I’m not going to change, that’s how I succeeded in the past. I need to be super motivated for the future. There are certain standards when you are at this club, the staff have worked hard to create that.
Does this elimination worry you about the team’s ability to bounce back?
No. It’s super personal, I think. We have no right to talk about the past here, but we quickly forget the past (smiles) and what this team has achieved. In this context, how can we not enjoy the feelings shared in the old port? We were three games away from changing the history of Stade Rochelais forever. It must be important, you can’t spoil it like that! A defeat, yes, but not like that… 40-13, pfff… Well, Leinster did the same to Toulouse last year and Toulouse won the shield. So maybe I will be inspired by Toulouse.
When you are eliminated like that as a double European champion, you lose a lot of respect, do we agree? I took not one blow, but five blows to the back of the head
Do your players seem as affected as you?
I’m in a different world this week. I’m honest, I’m not aware of everything that’s going on around me. I have a good staff who help me further. But if you move on too quickly, you’re a liar. There are some very important lessons to be learned from this. Maybe depression deepens with age and years (laughs), but that’s the way it is…
You had more or less the same speech about the digestion after the final after the Champions Cup lost in 2021. Do you see any similarities between these two periods?
No. But I am fascinated by the mentality in sports. And the mentality to win. I envisioned a hundred results when I jogged on Saturday morning in Dublin, but I never thought about 40 to 13! Maybe my expectations are too high? When you are eliminated like that as a double European champion, you lose a lot of respect, do we agree? I took not one blow, but five blows to the back of the head. You cannot recover immediately from such a blow. 40-13 … it’s not us.
On the other hand, your 5th place in the Top 14 gives you little time to change. This trip to Castres on Saturday is of crucial importance in your process…
The switch is super simple: either you play with speed and precision, or you don’t. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity! I’m not crazy, I’m a competitor. Many things will improve if we run more, if we have the appetite to work more without the ball. Some players don’t have confidence, it’s up to us to find their strengths. To do this they need to be able to play quickly with a ball.
Are your players not putting in enough effort without the ball?
Against Leinster, yes. Generally speaking, no. But the match where we were judged was the quarter-final. I am convinced that we can use the lessons learned from this fight to turn them in a positive direction. The next step is to show it on Saturday.
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