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Bernard Laporte's return to rugby starts on a bum note
By Ian Cameron
Former France head coach and controversial figure Bernard Laporte's return to the coaching scene as director of rugby at Montpellier has started with defeat.
MHR went down 26-21 at home to a freshly promoted Oyonnax at the GGL Stadium in Round 8 of the Top 14.
The match was admittedly a closely contested affair, with Montpellier initially seizing the lead through a Sam Simmonds' try in the 3rd minute and a Bastien Chalureau 5-pointer in the 23rd minute. However, Oyonnax were resilient, levelling the score at 14-14 by halftime, thanks to well-executed plays by Justin Bouraux and Daniel Ikpefan.
The second half saw Oyonnax taking control, with Maxime Salles and Farrell scoring crucial tries. Despite Montpellier's late efforts, including a try by Paul Willemse, Oyonnax's solid defence ultimately secured their 26-21 triumph.
The defeat marked Laporte's first game as Montpellier's director of rugby, adding a sombre note to his much-anticipated return to coaching. Montpellier, champions in 2022, now find themselves at the bottom of the table with seven consecutive defeats.
"We’re a team that is doubting itself, a bit confused," Laporte acknowledged in a post-match interview with Canal+. "Now the objective is simple, we’re playing for safety. Everyone has to commit, think only of that, when they wake up in the morning, when they shave, when they go to sleep."
The disappointing result puts Laporte and Montpellier in a challenging position, with survival in the Top 14 now their primary focus.
Laporte self-suspended as World Rugby vice-chairman in 2022, within hours of a Paris court finding him guilty of passive corruption, influence peddling, illegal interest taking and misuse of corporate assets.
He was banned from holding any position in rugby for two years but his lawyer Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi appealed the ruling.
The scandal involved Laporte’s relationship with Mohed Altrad, the billionaire businessman who owns French champions Montpellier.
additional reporting AAP/PA
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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