Top 14 / George Tilsley after Mathieu Acebes: Perpignan and worrying bloodshed

Twelve minutes from the siren, while the Parisians were forcing in the opposing 22 meters in order to reduce the gap to the score, the New Zealand winger did not really have the idea of ​​​​the century by crushing his crampons on the wrist of Morgan Parra, who was trying to extract the ball from a ruck. After using the video, the referee sent a red card to number 14 Perpignan, guilty of a gesture as dangerous as stupid. “I still can’t understand how Tilsley could have committed this gesture”wonders Jean-Baptiste Lafond in his podcast Lafond draws.

“He must have thought it was like 20 or 30 years ago, and that it might go unnoticed, continues the former international back. Except that there are twelve cameras and he is two meters away. the sideline. (…) I don’t understand why we don’t put a little cold water in the coffee, that we don’t keep a little more foresight in hot moments.” Of foresight, Tilsley inevitably lacked it. The problem is that this is not the first time this has happened to a Usapiste this season.

The previous Acebes

How to explain that two players, however experienced, could commit, a few weeks apart, such bloodshed? Of course, the context in which the Pyrénées-Orientales club is currently evolving is not really conducive to serenity. Red lantern since Brive took over the hair of the beast, the USAP is back to the wall. The bad results followed one another, the loyal supporters sometimes scolded and the staff seemed, at one point, very close to the exit. When nerves are raw, when every point counts to save your skin in the elite and the atmosphere is electric on the pitch, sometimes the wires touch.

USAP weakened when playing for survival

This is not about finding excuses for the culprits, who penalize their team above all. Already forced to deal with a busy infirmary (Siuna Halanukonuka, Alan Brazo, Alireveti Duguivalu, Lucas Velarte, Will Witty…), David Marty must also do without, due to suspensions, two major elements, Tilsley being also the co-top try scorer for the club this season (4, as many as Tristan Tedder). Even with a full workforce, the Perpignanais have no margin compared to their direct competitors for maintenance. With so many absent, the mission obviously becomes more difficult.

Especially since a priori, the short-term destiny of the club of President François Rivière is played out in the coming weeks. Saturday, Jake McIntyre and his teammates have an appointment with Brive, who precedes them by one place and three points in the standings. In other words, this duel at the bottom of the table will be very expensive. Then, the Catalans will receive Pau, who is only five points ahead of them at the moment, will go to Bordeaux-Bègles and welcome Bayonne, sovereign to Jean-Dauger but still fragile on the move. Important deadlines. That the USAP will therefore have to negotiate without several key players.