“We're putting ourselves in difficulty”: the too many errors that cost MHR dearly against Stade Français

Le pilier Lucas Tabarot et les Montpelliérains ont multiplié les scories contre le Stade Français. MHR – Baptiste Soulé

En plus de l’inconstance dans l’état d’esprit, les Montpelliérains ont multiplié les scories contre le Stade Français (29-20) ce samedi 5 octobre.

When analyzing the latest performances of the MHR, the state of mind is the element that marks the first. How can a team so sick in the game, not manage to compensate by a constant investment on the field ? How can players, who have demanded so much a staff with a Montpellier accent, give so little impression of wanting to give themselves for it ? These two questions have been going round and round for the past two weeks. That the Héraultais need time to understand the game system is logical. But if they don't provide the bare minimum in attitudes, the staff must be tearing their hair out.

After rewatching the match against Stade Français on Saturday afternoon, Joan Caudullo and his coaches also had to note the colossal number of slags from their men. “I won't target any player”, declared Caudullo after the match, when asked about the failed return of Australian hooker Jordan Uesele.

It is indeed difficult to point the finger at an individual performance. But it is precisely the mistakes made by each individual that are weighing down this collective under construction. Uelese, for his first with the MHR, missed 6 throws out of 9, including two in scoring position. He was also stupidly penalized (73rd) while Montpellier were putting pressure on the Parisian camp.

“We're putting ourselves in trouble all by ourselves”

Then there's this missed exit from the camp after Sam Simmonds' try which cost three points (32nd), Thomas Vincent's forward pass in his 22m allowing the capital's players to score a penalty on the following action (50th), Janse Van Rensburg who jostles the referee and is penalized (14th) while the Parisians were under pressure, or the absent support of Arthur Vincent after a good advance by Billy Vunipola in the opponents' “22” (70th).

And as luck would have it, George Bridge's try (72nd) came after a successful touchline, forwards who managed to keep the ball and three-quarters who finished. Which shows that this team knows how to do it.

“We put ourselves in difficulty all by ourselves. We have to find solutions as quickly as possible. We're going to work even harder, we're going to be even more demanding”, assured hooker Christopher Tolofua.

Indeed, we have to do everything better. And quickly. Because staying up doesn't wait. All the teams are moving forward. The reception of Vannes, next Saturday (4:30 p.m.), already has the air of a fear match.

Montpellier, loser of the 5th day

At the bottom of the bucket before this 5th day, the two clubs of the capital, the Stade Français and Racing 92, bounced back this weekend against Montpellier (29-20) and Vannes (24-27). Aviron Bayonnais, also lacking confidence and whose hell was predicted to Bordeaux-Bègles, was close to the feat at Chaban-Delmas (30-27), reassuring himself about his game. Everyone is moving forward, in terms of accounting and rugby. Even Vannes snatched a precious defensive bonus at home against the Franciliens. There is no doubt that the Bretons have already ticked off this trip to the Hérault.