Biarritz (AFP)
For his return to the elite after a seven-year term of purgatory, Biarritz made short work of Bordeaux-Bègles, semi-finalist of the last unrecognizable Top 14 who woke up too late (27-15), Saturday in a party Aguilera stadium.
A little less than three months after the victorious barrage on penalties against Bayonne which had given a taste of the Top 14 atmosphere, the promoted Basque responded by being superior in all areas - except in touch - in particular in the areas of rucks, in defense, in desire and determination.
This was enough to bring a UBB to its knees with apparently ideal preparation - 2 victories including one against Biarritz (28-7) in the North two weeks ago - but which has never been able to compete with its host except in the last quarter of an hour.
Both camps had insisted on the start for this opening of the championship but only the Biarrots, more dynamic, heard the message.
Admittedly, their territorial domination was not immediately rewarded but Steffon Armitage and his teammates laid the groundwork and paid for themselves on visitors' mistakes.
Two balloons lost in contact and on a forward by the Bordelais gave two ammunition converted into tests 70 meters further first by the opener Herron (24), a good pick from the Harlequins, after a capital breakthrough by Hirigoyen , then from the rear and former unionist Lonca on the restart (24-3, 45), a test synonymous with an offensive bonus.
The joy of the Biarritz opening half, the Englishman Brett Herron, after scoring a try against Bordeaux-Bègles, during the opening match of the Top 14 at home, on September 4, 2021 at the Stade d'Aguilera GAIZKA IROZ AFP
Two avoidable offside from Christophe Urios' men also offered a final winning penalty (after five attempts) at the Peyreblanques heel (32).
Asphyxiated, lacking in progress and support, the UBB was satisfied with crumbs - a penalty from Jalibert - before the break before showing more afterwards, but with still too much draft or impatience in its game at the image of the incoming Lucu.
The opener of Bordeaux-Bègles, Matthieu Jalibert, is tackled by the Biarritz defense, during the opening match of the Top 14 at home, September 4, 2021 at the Stade d'Aguilera GAIZKA IROZ AFP
The Biarritz physique, after such debauchery, weakened at the end of the match and allowed Bordeaux finally concerned to save twice the honor by the new Roussel (74) and the winger for a day Moefana (78) following two penaltouches, but far too late to bring anything back from the Basque coast.
© 2021 AFP